COLLECTIONS 


FOR 


AN ESSAY 


TOWARDS A 


MATERIA MEDICA 


OF THE 


UNITED-STATES. 


eat 


By BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, M. D. 


PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA, NATURAL HISTORY, AND BOTANY; 


IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


PART FIRoT. 


THE THIRD EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS. 


“* ALYT impetum Penguasio non in sterili me campo laborare, dum vires 
** ad illam scientiam intendo, quae praxeos medicae ALTER ocuLus est.” 


j. A. Murray. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
PRINTED FOR EDWARD EARLE AND CO. 


Fry and Kammerer, Printers. 


1810 


ws," 


District of Pennsylvania, ta wit : 
eettte* BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-fourth day of 
% Seal. ¥ December, in the thirty fifth year of the Independence of the 
* exxxxx United-States of America, A. D. 1810, Edward Earle and Co. of 
the said district, have deposited in this office, the title of a book the right 
whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words following, to wit: 


Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United-States. 
By Benjamin Smith Barton, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica, Natural 
History, and Botany, in the University of Pennsylvania. Part First. 
The Third Edition with Additions. 

s¢ Alit impetum persuasio non in sterilime campo laborare, dum vires 
“ad illam seientiam intends, que praxeos medicx alter oculus est.” 
J. A. Murray. 


In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, intituled, “An 
act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of maps, charts, 
and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times 
therein mentioned.” And also to the act, entitled ‘* An act supplementary 
to an act, entitled, “‘ An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such 
copies during the time therein mentioned,” and extending the benefits 
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other 
prints.” 

D. CALDWELL, 
Clerk of the District of Pennsylvania. 


TO 
THE STUDENTS OF MEDICINE 


IN THE 


UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, 


= Bbe following pages, which are intended to enlarge 


. the stock of our knowledge concerning the MEDICINAL 
“PROPERTIES of the Indigenous Vegetables of the Uni- 
_ted-States, are very respectfully inscribed by their friend 


and preceptor, 
: BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON. 


Philadelphia, December 12th, 1810. 


Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 


http://www.archive.org/details/collectionsforesOObart 


PREFACE. 


TO THE SECOND EDITION. 


MY Collections for an Essay towards a Materia 
Medica of the United-States have been favourably re- 
ceived by the public. I ought, perhaps, to mention this 
circumstance with some degree of surprise; for when I 
published the work, I was not ignorant how extremely 
superficial and imperfect it was. With all its faults, how- 
ever, the “‘ honest trifle” has served some useful purpo- 
ses. It has called the attention of some of my country- 
men to the study of the nature and properties of the in- 
digenous vegetables of the United-States: in particular, 
in the hands of the student of medicine, it has been use- 
ful as a guide (always feeble, and sometimes ilusory), 


in conducting him through the extensive wilderness of 
our riches. 


A new edition of the ‘‘ Collections” has been called 
for. I might have satisfied the desires of a few, had IT 
consented to republish the work, in its original form. 
By doing this, I might, also, have consulted my own 
ease and convenience, distracted as I have been by sick- 
ness, or engaged in pursuits, which required more steady 
and laborious attention. But I should not have satisfied 
myself. As I saw the errors and imperfections of the 
work, it became my duty to do somewhat towards re- 


a 


medying them. Besides, it has always appeared to me, 
that an author has but little claim upon the attention 
and the favours of the public, unless he renders the se- 
cond more perfect than the former editions of his works. 
I determined to reprint the work, ina more enlarged 
and improved state. But I did not think it would be 
Just or delicate to change the title of the work. The 
facts and observations which it contains are thrown to- 
gether with too little regard to method, to give it a 
claim to the title of an Essay. 


Ir is not difficult to discover in what respects the 
present work differs from the former “ Collections.” I 
have, indeed, reprinted the original Discourse, delivered 
before the Medical Society, in every essential respect a 
copy of the former work. The only alterations which I 
have made are too trivial to be particularly noticed. In- 
deed, the reader of the two editions would hardly be able 
to discover the difference. I hope, however, that I have 
increased the value of the discourse, by the addition of 
a number of notes, at the bottom of the page. I have 
also added an Appendix, which contains, besides almost 
all the remarks contained in the appendix of the former 
edition, a considerable portion of matter, some of it 
chiefly of a practical nature, which had no place in the 
original work. 


I wave entitled this little volume “ Part First,” 
because it is my intention to publish at least one part 
more, relative to other indigenous medicinal productions 
of the United-States. For such an additional volume, I 
am already in possession of sufficient materials. But the 
very pened! state of my health renders it uncertain, 
when the Second Part will appear. I shall endeavour to 


ou.) 

give it to the public sometime in the course of the en- 
suing year, or early in the spring of 1803. Should it 
never appear, the loss (save by the student in pursuit of 
subjects for inquiry, and in want of a guide somewhat 
more experienced than himself) will be but little felt. 
The present publication, meanwhile, may be considered 
as a complete or distinct work, in itself. 


Philadelphia, December 2d, 1801. 


POSTSCRIPT. 


| 


Wirtu the view to extend the knowledge of those 
indigenous vegetables of the United-States, which are 
possessed of useful medical powers, I have it in con- 
templation to publish a series of engravings, of the prin- 
eipal medicinal vegetabies of our country. When the 
whole of this scheme will be accomplished, it is difficult 
to say. But I think it may not be amiss to give, in this 
place, a general idea of the work which I meditate. 


Or the native North-American vegetables, which 
are worthy the attention of physicians, some are en- 
tirely new, and have never been figured by any writer: 
others have been inaccurately or imperfectly figured; 
whilst of some correct and elegant plates have aiready 
been given to the public. It is unnecessary to say, that 
of those vegetables which have not been figured at all, 
oer which have been but badly figured, the public ought 


(\ vii) 
to be furnished with just and elegant representations. 
Such it is my intention to publish. But it is even desi- 
rable that the American physician should possess a 
work, which shall bring together, into one view, the re- 
presentations of the principal valuable native plants, as 
well those which have as those which have not been 
well engraved. My scheme, accordingly, comprehends 
both descriptions of our indigenous vegetables. In the 
earlier numbers of the plates, however, my attention 
will be particularly directed to the latter class of plants. 


I pes1¢n to publish the work in Decades, or separ- 
ate parts; each decade, as the name implies, to contain 
ten plates. Each plate shall be accompanied with a full 
description of the plant, in Latin and in English, and 
shall contain references to the principal authors who 
have mentioned it. But of the medical properties of the 
plants nothing minute or particular will be said, as the 
work is solely intended to illustrate the history of those 
vegetables of which mention is made in these Collee- 
gions, or in the subsequent parts of them, which I de- 
sign to publish. Even, however, to the botanist, who is 
careless of the American Materia Medica, the plates 
will be useful. 


Tue plates shall be engraven from original draw- 
ings, taken by able artists from the living plants. At 
present, it is my intention to publish them in a quarto 
form, nearly of the size of the plates in Dr. Woodville’s 
Medicat Botany. The plates of some copies of the work 
shall be coloured. 


Tue first and second decades of the work will con- 
tain engravings of some of the following medicinal ve- 


( ix ) 

getables of the United-States; the greater part of which 
are more or less noticed in the present volume of Col- 
lections. Zea Mays, Zizania aquatica, Geranium macu- 
latum, Heuchera Americana, Arbutus Uva ursi, Comp- 
tonia asplenifolia, Prunus Virginiana, Diospyros Virgi- 
niana, Myrica cerifera, Cornus florida, Cornus sericea, 
Magnolia glauca, Magnolia acuminata, Liriodendron 
Tulipifera, Aristolochia Serpentaria, Aristolochia si- 
pho, Chironia angularis, Hydrastis Canadensis, Popu- 
lus balsamifera, Liquidambar Styraciflua, Datura Stra- 
monium, Cicuta maculata, Rhododendron maximum, 
Kalmia latifolia, Gaultheria procumbens, Laurus Sas- 
safras, Laurus Benzoin, Laurus Caroliniensis, Eryngium 
aquaticum, Arum triphyllum, Dracontium foetidum, 
‘Rhus radicans, Rhus Vernix, Rhus Toxicodendron, 
Polygala Senega, Polygala sanguinea, Zanthoxylum 
fraxinifolium, Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, Euphor- 
bia Ipecacuanha, Spirza trifoliata, Spirza opulifolia, 
Asarum Canadense, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Sanguin- 
aria Canadensis, Triosteum perfoliatum, Asclepias de- 
cumbens, Convolvulus panduratus, Podophyllum pel- 
tatum, Cassia Marilandica, Juglans cineria, Lobelia 
siphilitica, Lobelia inflata, Serratula spicata, [lex vo- 
mitoria, Spigelia Marilandica, Chenopodium anthel- 
minticum, Helleborus foetidus, Galega Virginiana, Cle- 
ome dodecandra? Silene Virginica, and Melia Azeda- 
rach*. 


* This last is the only foreign vegetable in the whole list. The Zea Mays 
and the Zizania aquatica are the only two vegetables that are not medicinal, 
in the strict sense of the word. 

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PREFACE*. 


I HOPE the following pages will be received as an 
earnest of my desire to extend our knowledge of the 
medical properties of the indigenous vegetables of the 
United-States. I do not expect to acquire any reputa- 
tion by the publication. Perhaps, in making this asser- 
tion, I shall not be doubted, when I confess that in every 
thing which I have hitherto published, I have had repu- 
tation in view. If I have not acquired it, I have borne 
the disappointment with tranquil indifference. 


Tue readers of these Collections (for every thing 
that is written and published solicits some readers) 
will form different opinions about my medical faith. 
Some of them will think I have too much; and others 
that I have not enough. I certainly do not repose im- 
plicit confidence in the half of what is said concerning 
the powers of medicines. Accordingly, I have not given 
a place, in these pages, to many of our vegetables, 
which have been praised as specifics for the cure of 
diseases; in particular, as specifics against the bites of 
venemous serpents. But, on the other hand, it will be 
asked, whether I mean that all the different vegetables 
which I have mentioned, should have a place in the 


* To the First Edition. 


({ xaut) 
materia medica of physicians? I answer, No. Bur 
HOW ARE WE TO KNOW WHAT PLANTS ARE MOST 
PROPER FOR THE PURPOSES OF MEDICINE, UNTIL 
WE SHALL HAVE EXAMINED THE PROPERTIES OF & 
GREAT BODY OF VEGETABLES? The Digitalis is now 
thought one of the most important of the diuretic me- 
dicines: but, perhaps, future inquiries will discover a 
diuretie, which shall, in a great measure, supersede 
the frequent use of this active plant. I wish To TURN 
THE ATTENTION OF OUR PHYSICIANS TO AN IN- 
VESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF THEIR NA- 
TIVE PRODUCTIONS. When it is considered how little 
has hitherto been done in this way, every attempt 
(mine is an humble one) should be candidly received. 
I do not mean that its faults should not be pointed out. 


Tue arrangement of the articles which I have men- 
tioned is by no means faultless: on the contrary, it is 
liable to many objections. I should not have followed 
this arrangement, had I been considering a// the articles 
of the materia medica. I shall give a sketch of my ideas 
of a method of the science, in my strictures on the ar- 
rangement of the learned and elegant author of the Bo- 
tanic Garden, a poem which unites the fire of Lucretius 
with the taste of Virgil, and a learning unequalled by 
that of Camoens or of Milton. 


I rHINnk it but candid to confess, that since reading 
this address to the Medical Society, I have made some 
alterations in it. These alterations, however, are very 
inconsiderable. In general, even the very style and 
faults of each phrase are preserved, for I had not time 
to alter or correct much. I have left out the conclud- 
ing part of the address, relative to the establishment of 


(4, seis, ”) 
& MEDICAL LIBRARY: not that I doubt the ability of 


the society to form a library of its own. The notes con- 
tained in the Appendix were not read to the society. 


Wuattrver may be the reception of this essay by 
the public, whether favourable or unfavourable, I shall 
pursue my inguiries concerning the nature and proper- 
ties of the natural productions of my native country. | 
shall pursue them, because there is at least a possibility 
that they may ultimately tend to something useful: and 
because I have the experience of several years to teach 
me, that the cultivation of science is the extension of 
my happiness. 


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PREFACE, 


TO THE THIRD EDITION. 


A THIRD edition of these Collections being called 
for, | could not consent to reprint the work precisely in 
the same state in which it has already appeared before 
the public. But the want of leisure has prevented me 
from making all those additions to the work, for which 
I possess ample materials. These additions, however, 
will be given in a third part, which I propose to publish 
in the course of the ensuing autumn, and which, it is 
probable, will close these sketches of an AMERICAN 
MATERIA MEDICA, under their present title of Collec- 
tions for an Essay, &c. 


Bur although I have not been able to accomplish my 
wish of rendering this edition of the first part of the 
Collections much more complete than either of the for- 
mer editions, the little work nevertheless now appears 
before the public somewhat improved and enlarged. I 
even flatter myself that, the mass of the whole work 
considered, the additions will not be deemed inconside- 
rable or unimportant. 


I nave not relinquished my scheme of publishing a 
collection of plates, with descriptions, of the most im- 
portant medicinal vegetables of the United-States. Se- 


(SVE A) 
veral of these plates are already prepared, and others 
are now in the hands of the engravers. If my life be 
spared, the first decade of the work will make its ap- 
pearance in the course of the ensuing summer. The 
plates will be found accurate and well engraved: the de- 
scriptions ample, and I hope correct. 


Philadelphia, December 12th, 1810. 


UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


The Lectures on Materia MeEpica (by Professor 
Barton) commence annually, in the first week of No- 
vember, and continue for four entire months. The Pro- 
fessor delivers at least four lectures each week, exclu- 
sively of his course on Natura History. 


COLLECTIONS 


FOR 
AN ESSAY 


TOWARDS A 


MATERIA MEDICA 


OF THE 
UNITED-STATES. 


READ BEFORE THE PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL SOCIETY, 


ON THE TWENTY-FIRST OF FEBRUARY, 1798. 


By BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, M. D. 


ONE OF THE HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. 


*« Sunt Simplicia desumpta e triplici Nature Regno: e Lapideo, Vegeta- 
** bili et Animali; heic VEcETasiLia tantum depromsi, que maximam 
** constituunt Materie Medicz partem, alio tempori reseryans cetera.” 
LINNEUs. 


FIDEM NON ABSTULIT ERROR. 


(regen ere se Ty 


“ Medicus Notitra PLantT destitutus, de viribus ejusdem 
“ nunquam juste judicavit.” 
Linn2us. 


COLLECTIONS, &e. 


GENTLEMEN, 


WE have assembled together to celebrate the an- 
niversary of our foundation. It is an occasion which 
ought to give pleasure to us all. We have met, however, 
for the dificult purpose of mingling science with plea- 
sure. This difficulty falls peculiarly upon me. By your 
vote, I have been calied upon to deliver the annual dis- 
course. I accepted of the appointment cheerfully, be- 
cause I was anxious to demonstrate my attachment to 
the Society, of which I had the honour to be a member at 
a very early period of my life; a Society in which I first 
imbibed my love of the different sciences which consti- 
tute the great fabric of medicine. 


Burt if I accepted of the appointment with pleasure, 
I do not address you with confidence. I have found it 
difficult to select a subject for your entertainment. I, at 
one time, contemplated a comparative view of the differ- 
ent theories which have prevailed in medicine, in the 
present century. But I soon found this subject too ex- 
tensive for our purpose: besides, in the investigation of 
this view, I should have been obliged to speak with a 


Ge) 
freedom, which might not have given pleasure to every 
one of us. Men are often attached to theories, as pa- 
rents are attached to their children. 

Arter some difficulty, I have selected a subject. It 
is An Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United 
States; or, if you please, An Inquiry what indigenous 
vegetables of our country may be used, with advantage, 
in the treatment of diseases. This, you will immediately 
perceive, is a task both extensive and difficult. But itis 
an important one. I shall not, perhaps, perform a duty 
altogether unacceptable to you, if I furnish you with 
a few facts not generally known to you before. This is 
all I aim at. 


Mine is not the first attempt of this kind. Be- 
sides the paper entitled Specifica Canadensium*, Dr. 
Schoepf, of Erlangen in Germany, has favoured us with 
aspecimen of such a work, under the title of Mate- 
via Medica Americana potissimum Regni Vegetabils. 
This work was printed in 1787. The author arranges 
the articles according to the sexual system of Linnzus. 
This, though an objection, is not the greatest. He has 
given us nothing from his own experience. He ascribes 
active powers to plants which are nearly inert, and ap- 
pears to me to be, in some measure, governed by the old 
notion of Srgnatures: one of the tyrants of the ancient 
schools. He discovers none of that infidelity, or, if you 
please, scepticism, which ought ever to be attached to 
physicians: I mean not an infidelity relative to religion; 
but an unwillingness to acquiesce, without good proofs, 
in the truth of every tale concerning the powers of me- 
dicines. ‘This pliant, this credulous disposition, has been 


* See Amanitates Academice. Vol. iv. Dissertatio Lxxii 


eke.) 

ene of the causes which have obstructed the regular 
march of medical science. But as the effort of Schoepf 
is the best of the kind, so we ought to tread lightly on 
his work. He is at least a man of learning; and learning 
should always claim indulgence from the lovers and cul- 
tivators of science. 


I am far from supposing that it is in my power, es- 
pecially on this occasion, to supply all the defects of 
Schoepf’s book. It would be easy to point out its faults. 
I aim at a rude sketch of our Materia Medica. It is so 
extremely unfinished, that I have no objection to its 
being called by any inferior name. I confine myself en- 
tirely to vegetables. 


MATERIA ALIMENTARIA. 


YOU are all acquainted with the great general divi- 
sion of the Materia Medica into two parts: that which 
relates to the aliments, or nutrientia, of mankind, and 
the medical part, more strictly so called. Each of these 
is highly important; but I mean, in this address, to con- 
fine myself almost entirely to the latter branch. Yet the 
former should claim some of our attention. Much may 
be expected from a country which has blessed us with 
the maize, the potatoe, &c. I could readily furnish you 
with along list of the indigenous nutricntia of this coun- 
try; but such a list would be very uninteresting. On this 
subject, however, an useful work might be written. He 
who shall undertake to examine the subject extensively 
will find, that Providence has, in the gift of esculent 
vegetables, been as liberal to the countries of the United- 


( o 
States, as to any other countries of the world, of equai 
extent. 


Unober this heag of the nutrientia, I shall content 
myself with mentioning two native articles, which de- 
serve the attention of physicians and. others. Perhaps, 
they may even supersede, on many occasions, the use 
of some other articles, which are purchased at a pretty 
dear rate. 


THERE grows upon the river Mobile a species of 
Palm, which ts but little known te naturalists, but which 
promises to be an important article of food to man. It 
has no stalk or stem above ground. The leaves spread 
regularly all round, and when fully expanded are flabel- 
liform. In the centre of these leaves, is produced the 
receptacle of the fruit, which is of the form and size of 
a common sugar-loaf. This receptacle consists of a vast 
number of drupes, or berries, of the size and shape of 
common plumbs: each is covered witha fibrous, farina- 
ceous, pulpy coating, of considerable thickness. This 
substance is said to resemble manna in texture, colour 
and taste; or, perhaps, it still more resembles moist 
brown sugar, with particles of loaf-sugar mixt with it. 
It is a most delicious and nourishing food, and is dili- 
gently sought after in the places where it grows. Upon 


> 


first tasting it, 1¢ 1s somewhat bitter and pungent*. 


Tue large tuberous roots of the Smilax China afford 
our southern Indians a nourishing food. The fresh roots 
are well macerated in wooden mortars. The mass is then 
put into vessels nearly filled with clear water, where it 
is well mixed with paddles. It is decanted off into other 


1 


From the information of Mr. William Bartram. MS. penes me. Val. 1. 


a 


ae 

vessels, where it is left to settle, and after the subsi- 
dence is completed, the water is cast off, leaving the 
farinaceous substance at the bottom. When this is taken 
out and dried, it is an impalpable powder of a reddish 
colour. Mixed with boiling water, it becomes a beauti- 
ful jelly, which, when sweetened with honey or sugar, 
affords a most nourishing and pleasant food for children 
or aged people. The indians sometimes use it mixed 
with fine corn-flour, and fried in fresh bear’s oil*. 


Tue chemical history of the Maize, or Indian corn, 
the blessing of our country, deserves to be farther inves- 
tigated. Its importance as an article of diet is sufficient- 
ly established by the experience of whole nations. 


| 


MATERIA MEDICA. 


I AM not very anxious, on this occasion, about my 
division of the materia medica. I have attempted, in my 
lectures, to make some improvements upon the arrange- 
ment of Dr. Cullen; and, if I live, I hope to publish, in a 
few months, my strictures on the late arrangement of 
the ingenious Dr. Darwin. At present, in possession of 
only a small collection of original facts, immediately 
relative to the materia medica of the United-States, I 
shall content myself with disposing of these facts under 
the nine following heads, viz. 1. AsTRINGENTS; tr. 
Tonics; 111. STIMULANTS; IV. ERRHINES; v. Sia- 
LAGOGA, OF SALIVATING MEDICINES; vi. EMETICS: 


vir. Caruartics; vit. Diuretics; tx. ANTHEL- 
MINTICS. 


* From the information of Mr, William Bartram. MS. tenes me. Vol. i 


Section I. AstTrRINGENTS. 


i rH1Nx it proper, in the present state of our know- 
ledge of medicines, to give place toa class of AsTRIN- 
cents. There is the more propriety for the adoption of 
such a class, because we see more readily, than with 
respect to many other medicines, their direct mode of 
operation. Our vegetable astringents, | mean the purer 
and more unmixed astringents, are numerous. The 
barks of all cur oaks are of this kind. But I may here 
particularly mention three or four native astringents, 
which seem to be more especially entitled to your at- 
tention. 


Tue first is the Geranium maculatum, or Spotted 
Geranium*, which grows very plentifully about this 
city: it flowers in the spring. The root is used: this 
boiled in milk has been found an excellent medicine in 
the cholera of children. It is not necessary to be very 
nice about the dose. I imagine it would also prove use- 
ful in old diarrhoeas, where the kino, and other astrin- 
gents are exhibited. If nephritis, of certain kinds, be 
relieved by astringents, this geranium would seem en- 
titled to attention, not merely because it is a powerful 
astringent, but because a species of the same genus, the 
Geranium robertianum, or Herb-Robert, has been em- 
ployed, with advantage, in this distressing complaintf. 


* In the county of Lancaster, and probably in other parts of Pennsylvania 
and the United-States, this plant is known by the English name of ‘* Crow- 
foot.” It is hardly necessary to say, that this name is improperly applicd to 
this or any other species of the family of Geranium: for it has, long since, 
been appropriated to the different species of the genus Ranunculus. The 
name of Crow-foot is also bestowed, in some parts of Pennsylvania, upon 2 
species of Geum, or Bennet, the Geum rivale, or Red Watcr-Avens. 


*The Geraninm robertianum is a native of various parts of North-America 


Cae 

Tue Heuchera Americana is the next astringent. 
This is sometimes called American Sanicle. It is more 
eommonly called Alum-root. The root is a very in- 
tense astringent. It is the basis of a powder, which has 
lately acquired some reputation in the cure of cancer. I 
suppose all its virtue, in this case, depends upon its 
astringency. I may here observe, that the disease of 
cancer is not confined to civilized nations. It is known 
among our Indians. Iam informed that the Cheerake 
cure it with a plant, which is thought to be the Hydras- 
tis Canadensis, one of our fine native dyes. I do not be- 
lieve that the Heuchera has cured genuine cancer: but 
it seems certain, that it has proved very beneficial in 
some obstinate ulcers, which have been mistaken for 
cancer. In such cases, the astringent medicines are too 
much neglected. 


Tue Actea racemosa, or Black Snake-root, is also 
a valuable medicine. It is sometimes called Squaw- 
root*, I suppose from its having been used as a medi- 
cine by our Indians. The root of this plant is astringent. 
In a putrid sore-throat, which prevailed in Jersey, many 
years ago, a strong decoction of the roots was used, 
with great benefit, as a gargle. Our Indians set an high 
value on it. A decoction of it cures the itch. In North- 
Carolina, it has been found useful, as a drench, in the 
disease of cattle, called the murrain. 


Tue Uva Ursit is considerably astringent. Yet I 
suspect that it does not operate entirely by virtue of its 
astringent quality. This plant, from my own experi- 
ence, [can recommend to you, as a most valuable medi- 


* It is also called Rich-weed, and Rattle-weed. 


+ Arbutus Uva ursi of Linnzus. 


2 


( 10) 

cine. It should be in the hands of every physician. I 
have used it, with advantage, in old gonorrhoea. But 
its great virtue is that of a medicine in nephritis. I am 
inclined to think, that it is peculiarly adapted to cases of 
what I call nephritis podagrica, or nephritis depending 
upon gout. This is one of the plants which are common 
to the old and to the new world. It grows plentifully 
in Canada, New-York, New-Jersey, &c. Schcoepf says, 
the Indians mix the leaves with tobacco*. 


Tue Liquidambar asplenifoliumt of Linneus is 
well known by the name of Sweet-Fern. It has often 
been found useful in diarrhoea. Other virtues have been 
ascribed to itt. 


Section II. Tonics. 


I pELIEVE all the astringent medicines are more or 
less Tonic. But there are a good many tonics which 
are not astringent. There is, certainly, some propriety 
in considering the astringents and tonics under two dis- 
tinct heads, as Dr. Cullen has done. But, perhaps, the 
tonics should only form one section of the great class 
of stimulants. Certain it is, that many of the tonic me- 
dicines are considerably stimulant. 


Tue class of tonics is extremely interesting to phy- 
sicians. It embraces some of the most valuable medi- 


* Materia Medica Americana, &c. p. 68. 
+ Comptonia asplenifolia of Aiton. 
i See Schoepf’s Materia Medica, &c. p. 142. 


G2) 
cines with which we are acquainted, such as the Peru- 
vian bark, the extensive tribe of bitter medicines, as the 
Gentians, &c. The natural infirmities of mankind, and 
perhaps especially the vices to which civilized nations 
are so propense, will always render the tonics most ne- 
cessary implements in the hands of physicians. 


Our woods possess several medicines which, I am 
inclined to think, might be used, with advantage, as 
substitutes for the Peruvian bark. Perhaps, most of our 
Oaks, which are, in general, different from the oaks of the 
old world, are of this kind. Sufficient trials have not been 
made .with them; at least internally used. Externally, 
some of them have been employed, with advantage. I 
have used the bark of the Spanish oak* in gangrene, 
and I had every reason to think it was, in this case, 
equal in power to the best Peruvian bark. The bark of 
the Prunus Virginiana, or Wild-Cherry-tree, has been 
used in intermittent fevers, and found useful. This isa 
very common tree. Its leaves are poisonous to certain 
animals, as calves. Even the berries intoxicate different 
kinds of birds. The barks of the Common Sassafras 
(Laurus Sassafras), and Persimmon (Diospyros Virgi- 
niana) have likewise been found useful in intermittents. 
In the year 1793, I used the bark of the last of these ve- 
getables in an ulcerous sore-throat}. Our Willows have 
not been attentively examined. We have several native 
species, and I believe they possess nearly the same pro- 
perties which have been ascribed to the willows of Eu- 
rope}, by Stone, Haller, and other writers. The Dog- 


* Quercus rubra montana of Marshall. See his Arbustum Americanum: 
the American Grove, &c. p. 123. Philadelphia: 1785. 

{ Dr. Woodhouse has favoured us with some interesting information con- 
cerning the Persimmon. See his Inaugural Dissertation. Philadelphia: 1792. 


+ Particularly the Salix alba, Salix pentandra, Salix latifolia, &c 


( 12) 

wood is a genus which seems well worthy of attention. 
Of this, the Cornus of the botanists, there are several 
species in North-America. The most common is the 
Cornus florida, or Common Dogwood*. I find this in , 
every part of the United-States. It is one of our most 
beautiful shrubs. It flowers early in the spring, and 
with so much regularity, that some of our southern 
tribes were accustomed to name the spring-season from 
its flowering. The bark is considerably astringent. 
It has long been employed in intermittent fevers. A 
decoction of it has also been employed, and found very 
useful, in a malignant fever, called the yellow-water, 
Canada-distemper, &c., which, within the last eight 
years, has carried off great numbers of the horses in the 
United-States. The ripe fruit, or berries, infused in spi- 
rit or brandy, make an agreeable bitter. Our Indians 
employ an infusion of the flowers in intermittents. The 
same infusion has been much recommended by some 
in flatulent cholic. I have used it as a tea. 


Tue Cornus sericea, another species, is called Red- 
Willow and Rose- Willow; which are very improper 
names. The bark of this is often mixed with tobacco, and 
smoked by the savages. It has been found but little in- 
ferior to the common pale Peruvian bark, in intermittent 
fevers. This species grows in wet places, on the sides 
of rivers, creeks, &c. and flowers in August and Sep- 
tember. I know nothing of the medical properties of the 
other native species of this genus; viz. Cornus Cana- 
densis, Cornus circinata, &c. 


Many years ago, Zannichelli, and of late, Cusson 
and other writers, recommended the bark of the /scu- 


* Dogwood is the most common American name of this species. In some 
of the New-England States, it is known by the name of Box-wood. 


Cm) 

ius Hippocastanum, or Common Horse-Chesnut, as a 
substitute for the Peruvian bark. This /Msculus is 
not a native of America, though it thrives very well in 
the open ground of Pennsylvania, &c. But we have at 
least two native species of the same genus within the 
limits of the United-States*. Whether the barks of these 
possess the properties which have been ascribed to the 
Hippocastanum, I do not know. They deserve to be 
examined. 


I must not omit to mention, under this head, the 
Magnolias. Of this 4&ne genus, we have at least six 
species, viz. the Magnolia glauca, the acuminata, the 
tripetala, the grandiflora, the auriculata, and the Frase- 
rif. I believe they all possess nearly one general as- 
semblage of properties; but of this I am not quite cer- 
tan. The species that is best known to me is the 
glauca, commonly called Magnolia, Beaver-tree, and 
Swamp-Sassafras. The bark of this is an agreeable 
aromatic, tonic, bitter medicine. It has been used in 
intermittent fevers. The flowers have a powerful, and 
to most persons an agreeable, smell. It it an emanation 
which must be considered as a potent stimulant, or 
incitant. IT am well acquainted with a physician in 
whom the newly-expanded flower evidently increased 
the paroxysm of a fever, which came on every after- 
noon; and also increased the pain of inflammatory gout. 
This is an interesting fact. In Virginia, a spirituous 
tincture of the cones, or seed-vessels, of the Magnolia 
acuminata, which is commonly called Cucumber-tree, 
has been used, and we are told very advantageously, in 


* £sculus Pavia of Linnzus, and Aésculus flava of Aiton. 
7 Perhaps, the Magnolia auriculata of Bartram and the Magnolia Fraseri 
of Walter are merely varieties of the same species. 


a 

rheumatic complaints*. The bark of the root of the 
Magnolia grandiflora, sometimes. called Tulip-tree, is 
used in Florida, in combination with the Snake-root, as 
a substitute for the Peruvian bark, in the treatment of 
intermittent fevers. ‘The flowers of the Magnolia tri- 
petala, or Umbrella-tree, have a very powerful smell. 
They often induce nausea and head-ache. 


I am inclined to think, that the Cortex Angusture, 
which has lately been introduced into medical prac- 
tice, and is so greatly celebrated as a tonic, by the prac- 
titioners of Britain, is the bark of some species of Mag- 
nolia. 


Tue Liriodendron Tulipifera, well known, in the 
United States, by the names of Tulip-tree, Poplar, 
White-wood, &c., is very closely allied, by its botani- 
cal character, to the Magnolias. They both belong to 
the same class and order of the sexual system, and both, 
I believe, possess nearly the same properties. ‘The bark 
of the Liriodendron is frequently used in intermittents. 
Many persons are of opinion, that in this case, it is but 
little inferior to the Peruvian bark. [ have never em- 
ployed it}. 


Te bark of the Populus tremula? or Aspin? has 
likewise been used in cases of intermittent fevers. This 
is a powerful tonic, and deserves the attention of the 
American physician. It has been found very useful, as 
a stomachic, in the diseases of our horses. 


* See Dr. Duncan’s Medical Commentaries, for the year 1793. Vol. xviii. 
p. 445. 

{ Forsome information concerning the medical properties of the Lirioden- 
dron, I must refer my readers to a short paper, by Dr. Rush, in the Trans- 
actions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Vol. L Part. 1. p. 185— 


<O Teabdy tacos Pea | he SI\O 
385. Philadelphia: 1793 


Cas 

THe Snake-root, the Aristolochia Sefpentaria, is 
one of the more stimulating tonic bitters. It is certainly 
a valuable medicine, in the second stage of certain fe- 
vers, after the inflammatory diathesis has been removed. 
It was used, with great benefit, ina most malignant fever, 
attended with carbuncles, which prevailed at Bristol, on 
the Delaware, in this state, in the years 1749 and 1753. 
Another species of this genus, the Aristolochia sipho of 
L’Heritier, grows in the neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, 
and in other parts of the United-States. This isa large, 
climbing plant. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, 
and for certain purposes is, perhaps, preferable to the 
common Snake-root. 


I sua conclude this subject of tonics by observ- 
_ing, that we possess a good many of the bitter plants of 
Europe, which have long claimed the attention of phy- 
sicians. Our Gentians have not been carefully examin- 
ed. We have one species which appears to be equal to 
any of the officinal kinds yet known. ° 


| 


Section III. Srimutanrts, or IncrrantTs. 


Tue class of Strrmutants, or INcITaAntTs, is so 
very extensive, that in order to exhibit a methodical or 
natural medical arrangement of these articles, it would 
be necessary to consider them under a number of differ: 
ent heads, or sections. But this, in such a sketch as | 
offer you, docs not appear necessary. I shall content 
myself, therefore, with speaking of a few of our native 


( 6) 
stimulant vegetables, under the two heads of such as 


are more general, and such as are more partial, or topi- 
cal, in their operation. 


§ I. GENERAL STIMULANTS. 


I ruinx that many of our different balsamic pro- 
ducts may, with propriety, be considered under the 
head of GENERAL STIMULANTS, though they are cer- 
tainly “not the most diffusible articles of this class. 
Such is the resin of the Populus balsamifera, called 
Balsam, or Tacamahaca-tree. This is a native of 
North-America and of Siberia. The resin is procured 
from the leaf-buds. This balsam is so very penetrating, 
that it communicates its peculiar smell and taste to the 
flesh of certain birds, which feed upon the buds. [It was 
formerly supposed, that the T'acamahaca of the shops 
was the produce of this tree. But it seems more proba- 
ble, that it is the produce of the Fagara octandra*. 


Tue gum-resin which exudes from the Swect- 
gum, or Maple-leaved Liquidambar-tree, the Liquid- 
ambar Styraciflua of Linnzus, deserves to be mention- 
ed. The storax of the shops is thought to be the pro- 
duce of this tree: but, perhaps, this point is not yet 
quite ascertained}. Iam informed, that the produce of 


* The Fagara octandra is a small tree, which grows spontaneously in 
€uracoa, and other West-India Islands, and also (according to Sonnerat) in 
the Isle of France, in the East-Indies. 


+ It is more probable, perhaps it is certain, that the storax is the produce 
of the Styrax officinale, a tree which grows spontaneously in Italy, the south- 
ern parts of France, Ethiopia, and other countries of the old world. Ht is 
also said to be a native of the southern parts of the United-States. This, I 
think, is very doubtful. There are, however, in the United-States at least 


Gea Re 
our tree has been used, with advantage, in diarrhceas*. 


Some of our southern Indians mix the dried leaves with 
tobacco, for smoking. 


To the head of stimulants I have no hesitation in 
referring a number of poisonous vegetables, with the 
properties of which we are not so well acquainted as 
we ought to be. Such are the Datura Stramonium, or 
James-town-weed, the Cicuta maculata, &c. 


Tue Datura is one of our most common plants. It 
is certainly a medicine possessed of useful powers. 
The properties of this vegetable have lately been more 
satisfactorily investigated by one of our members, Dr. 
Samuel Cooper. 


We have several native plants of the natural order 
umbellifere. That described by the late Dr. James 
Greenway}, under the name of Cicuta venenosa, 
should be carefully investigated. This, from his ac- 
count, must either be a direct sedative, or a stimulant, 
whose first operation is very soon accomplished. It 
kills without inducing pain or convulsions. Perhaps, 
the plant with which some of our Indians, when weary 


two indigenous species of the genus Styrax, viz. the Styrax grandifolium and 
Styrax levigatum of Aiton. Of the medical properties of these, I know no- 
thing. 


* The root of this Liquidambar, boiled in milk, has been used, with much 
advantage, in cases of dysentery and diarrhoea. The patient is directed to 
drink freely of the decoction. The gum-resin itself made into an ointment 
with mutton suet, has been found very beneficial, externally applied, as an 
antispsoric, in different cutaneous affections. 


} See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. III. No 
xxix. In Virginia, this plant is called Wild-Carrot, Wild-Parsnip, Fever-root, 
and Mock-Ee}-root, 

D 


eS ahs 
of life, destroy themselves, is the same. It grows 1 
meadows, and has a root like a parsnip. 


Berore I take leave of these poisonous plants, I 
may mention some others, whose properties are but lit- 
tle known. The first is the Rhododendron maximum, 
or Pennsylvania Mountain-Laurel. This is certainly a 
poison. It isa species of the same genus as the Rhodo- 
dendron Chrysanthum, which has lately acquired much 
reputation in the cure of chronic rheumatism*. 


Near ty allied to the Rhododendron is the genus 
Kalmia. Of this we have several species, and all of them 
are poisons. The Kalmia latifolia, or Broad-leaved Lau- 
rel, is best known to us. It kills sheep and other ani- 
mals. Our Indians sometimes use a decoction of it to 
destroy themselves. In the county of Lancaster, an em- 
piric has used the powdered leaves, with success, in 
certain stages of fevers, and in tinea capitis. A decoction 
of the plant, externally applied, has often cured the itch; 
but it must be used with great care, for thus applied it 
has been known to occasion disagreeable subsultus, or 
startings, and convulsions. I have given the powder of 
this plant internally in a case of fever, and have thus, 
at least, ascertained, that it may be used with safety. 


* The Rhododendron Chrysanthum is 2 fine shrub, which grows sponta- 
neously upon the summits of the mountains in the neighbourhood of the river 
Jenisea in Asia; upon the mountains about the lake of Baical; through the 
whole of the country of Eastern Siberia; in the Peninsula of Kamtschatka, 
and in Behring’s island, between the continents of Asia and America. It is 
not improbable (as Asia possesses so many vegetables and animals in com- 
mon with North-America) that this species of Rhododendron will also be 
found native within the limits of the latter continent; perhaps upon some 
of the great ranges of mountains in the United-States. Upon the Cheerake- 
mountains, in North-Carolina, my friend Mr. William Bartram discovered 
a beautiful new species of Rhododendron, which he has named Rhododen- 
dron aromaticum. It is the Rhododendron punctatum of Willdenow. 


ge) 

Tue medical properties of our different species of 
Andromeda and Azalea, which, in botanical character, 
are very nearly akin to the Rhododendron and Kalmia, 
are but little known to me. I have long suspected that 
they are poisons. A decoction of the Andromeda Mari- 
ana has been found useful, as a wash, in a disagreeable 
ulceration of the feet, which is not uncommon among 
the slaves, &c., in the southern states. 


Tue Gaultheria procumbens, which we call Moun- 
tain-tea*, is spread very extensively over the more 
barren, mountainous parts of the United-States. It 
belongs to the same class as the plants just mentioned. 
Ihave made use of a strong infusion of this plant, which 
is evidently possessed of a stimulant and anodyne quality. 
Tam told it has been found an usefui medicine in cases 
of asthma. But I have not learned to what particular 
forms of this disease it is best adapted, nor in what 
manner it operates. 


Our native species of Laurus deserve to be investi- 
gated. ‘The Camphor and the Cinnamon belong to this 
genus: but, hitherto, they have not been discovered 
within the limits of the United-States. The properties 
of the Common Sassafras, which is a species of Laurus, 
have not been sufheiently examined. It is the Laurus 
Sassafras of the botanists. I have already mentioned the 
bark. Its oil seems to be an useful medicine. I have been 
assured, that this oil has been found an efficacious re- 
medy, externally applied, in cases of wens. This looks 
probable; for our medicine is nearly allied to camphor, 


* It is also called Berried-tea, Grouse-berry, and Deer-berries. If I do not 
mistake, this is one of the principal articles in the materia medica of some 
of our Indian tribes. In the language of some of the Indians of Canada, it is 
called Pollom 


C9 
which has been used with advantage in bronchocele* 
1 knew a woman in whom an infusion or tea of the root 
of the Sassafras always induced an oppression at the 
breast, with sighing and depression of spirits. 


Durine the late American war, necessity drove 
the inhabitants, in many parts of the United-States, to 
seek for a substitute for some of the spices to which they 
had been accustomed. They used the dried and powder- 
ed berries of the Laurus Benzoin, which we call Spice- 
wood, and Wild-Alspice-bush, and found them a tole- 
rable substitute for alspicet. 


Tue celebrated Ginseng, or Panax quinquefolium, 
may, with propriety, be thrown into the class of stimu- 
lants}. I find it difficult to speak of this plant with any 
degree of certainty. If it were not a native of our woods, 
it is probable that we should import it, as we do the teas 
of China and Japan, at a high price. 


Tue Eryngium aquaticum, or Water-Eryngo, is 
one of the stimulants which more especially act as su- 
dorifics. It is nearly allied, in its qualities, to the contra- 
yerva of the shops. It is one of the medicines of our 
southern Indians. They use the decoction. 


* The oil rubbed upon the head has been found very useful in killing lice. The 
bark, especially that of the root, powdered and mixed with pomatum, has 
the same effect. 


+ ** A decoction of the small twigs makes an agreeable drink in slow fevers, 
‘* and is much used by the country people. It is said the Indians esteemed 
** it highly for its medicinal virtues.” Reverend Dr. M. Cutler. 


+ The Ginseng is by no means a powerful stimulant. It is not very happily 
arranged in the class of Medicamenta Stimulantia, or Incitantia. The Indians 
make use of a tea prepared of the leaves as well as the root of this plant. But 
1 cannot learn, that they so highly esteem the Ginseng as their Tartar bre- 
thren in Asia do. 


: G ae) 


Amownc the more acrid stimulants of our country, 1 
may mention the Arum triphyllum, or Indian-Turnip, 
as it is most commonly called. I could wish that the pro- 
perties of this plant were examined with attention. ‘The 
leaves of a plant a good deal allied to this, I mean the 
Dracontium pertusum of the botanists, are employed, 
by the Indians of Demerara, in a very singular manner, 
in the treatment of general dropsy. The whole body of 
the patient is covered with leaves. An universal sweat, 
or rather vesication, is induced, and the patient often 
recovers. Perhaps, it would be worth trying this prac- 
tice in cases of anasarca, which have resisted the usual 
modes of treatment*. 


* This fact was communicated to me by my friend, the late Mr. Julius Von 
Rohr, a gentleman whose death is a real loss to natural science, and perhaps 
an irreparable loss to the interests of an injured and oppressed part of man- 
kind: I mean the Blacks. In the summer of 1793, I took my last adieu of this 
learned botanist, and most amiable man. He sailed, from New-York, for the 
coast of Africa, where he contemplated the establishment of a colony of 
Blacks. A few days after he had landed on the African continent, he died of 
a malignant fever. With him, I fear, has perished, for a long time at least, 
ene of the best concerted schemes for the safe and happy emancipation of 
the swarthy children of Africa. Von Rohr was another Howarp. In bene- 
volence and good sense, he was, at least, equal to the great English philan- 
thropist. In science certainly, and perhaps in the simplicity of his conduct, 
and the unambitious fervour of his zeal, he was his superior. Of all the men 
I have ever known, he appeared to me to be most eminently entitled to 
the character of a Pracrican Curistian. Mr. Von Rohr was a native 
of Denmark. I hope his countrymen will do justice, if they have not already 
done it, to his great merits. It is the vice of ingratitude, it is even criminal, 
to suffer so much disinterested goodness, as inhabited the bosom of my friend, 
to sleep, neglected, in the grave. Happy should [esteem myself, if I could 
hope, that this feeble, this retired tribute to the memory of one of the best 
of men, might lead those who knew him long and well, to do all justice te 
his virtues. With his merits in science, no man was better acquainted than 
the learned Professor Fabricius. 


( 22) 


§ II. Topica SrimuLants. 


By the Toprcat stimuxanrts, I mean those arti- 
cles which more especially increase the action or living 
powers of the parts to which they are applied, and which, 
at the same time, generally produce a discharge of fluid 
from the part. The Cantharis is one of these articles: 
but of this, as an animal body, and not a native, I have 
nothing to say*. 


* The United-States, rich in the articles of the materia medica, furnish 
us with several species of insects, which may be employed as valuable sub- 
stitutes for the cantharides of the shops. It is my intention to publish a par- 
ticular and full account (illustrated with coloured engravings) of these in- 
sects. It may not be amiss, in the mean while, to observe, that the species 
commonly called ‘* Potatoe-Fly,” which is now much employed (and which 
ihave often employed) as an epispastic, is the Lytta vittata of Fabricius: the 
Cantharis vittata of Olivier. This, during certain seasons, is so extremely 
common in many parts of the Union, that it might be collected and sold at a 
much cheaper rate than the foreign cantharides of the shops, to which it is- 
by no means inferior in strength. On the contrary, from frequent employ- 
ment of the two articles, I cannot hesitate to prefer the American to the 
foreign fly. Long-keeping, provided it be carefully kept, does not materially 
impair the blistering property of the Lytta vittata. At the end of three or 
four years after being collected, I have found it equal in power to the best 
shop cantharides. This insect, though commonly called the Potatoe-Fly, is 
frequently met with upon other vegetables of very different natural families, 
such as garden peas and beans, species of Amaranthus, the Actwa racemosa 
(formerly mentioned), and others. Besides this, there are, in the Uni- 
ted-States, severa) other species of the genus Lytta, such as Lytta atrata, 
Lytta marginata, &c.—1. Lytta atrata (of which I have observed two varieties, 
differing both in size and in the shades of colour) is an extremely common 
insect, in many parts of North-America. It is most commonly found, in the 
autumn, upon different species of syngenrious plants, such as Aster, Solida- 
go, &c. Though inferior in power to the Lytta vittata, it is well worthy of the 
attention of physicians, and may always, I think, be collected im quantity 
nearly sufficient to answer thedemand of the practitioner.—2. Lytta marginata 
of Fabricius (the Cantharis marginata of Olivier) is much less common: but it 
is more powerful than either of the preceding species.—3. Lytta cinerea is 
also very powerful, but not common; at least within the field of my explora- 
tions. The blistering property of these two insects is so very great, that 
the discovery of them, in large quantities, would be a matter of great impor- 
tance to the interests of medicine. Though they inhabit (one of the species, 
in particular) plants of a very acrid nature, it does not appear, that from this 


( 28) 

Tue bark of our White-Walnut, or Butternut, the 
Juglans cinerea of Wangenheim, is a pretty efficacious 
blister. The bark of the root is more powerful than 
that of the stem or branches. It has been applied, with 
advantage, as a blister, to the bite of some of our veno- 
mous serpents*. ; 


I pexieve the bark of our Moose-wood, or Leather- 
wood, the Dirca palustris of Linnzus, is also a blister. 
This plant, by its botanical habit, is nearly allied to the 
genus Daphne, all the species of which are blisters; 
especially the Daphne Gnidium. 


Some of our Indians make use of a plant, which, 
when mashed a little, induces nearly as good a blister 
as the cantharides. It has been used with advantage in 
sciatica. I do not know this plant. 


Tue Ranunculus sceleratus, or Celery-leaved 
Crowfoot, is a very acrid plant. If it be bruised, and 
laid upon any part of the body, it will, in a few hours 
time, raise a blister. This plant is a native of Europe 
and of America. The Ranunculus bulbosus, called 
Bulbous Crowfoot, and Butter-cups, possesses the 
same properties. This plant grows very plentifully in 
our meadows and fields; but I believe it is not a na- 
tive. 


To this head of topical stimulants, I may refer seve- 
ral species of the genus Rhus, or Sumac; particularly 


source they derive much, if any, of their peculiar power: for I find that these 
insects exert equally energetic effects upon the human skin, when they 
have been confined entirely to a diet of vegetables of a very mild nature, 
such as the legumina, &c.—November 30th, 1810. 


* See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. IIL. p. 102, 
105, 114. 


the Rhus radicans, or Poison-vine; the Rhus vernix, 
or Vernice-tree; and the Rhus Toxicodendron, or Poi- 
son-oak. In many persons they induce a peculiar and 
very troublesome vesication, which I have frequently 
removed, ina short time, by means of a mercurial wash. 
These plants are more active in the southern than in the 
northern climates. They more readily poison immedi- 
ately after than before a full meal. Their stimulant 
effect is extended beyond the skin. It is said that the 
bark of one species (but I cannot tell you what species) 
has been found useful in intermittents. 


> 


Section lV. Erruines. 


IT nave but little to say under the head of Er- 
RHINES, Or StERNuUTATORY Mepricines. Our native 
vegetables of this class, with the exception of the To- 
bacco, are but little known to me. Of the Tobacco, as 
being so well known to you all, I need say nothing. 


Tue brown powder which is. attached to the foot- 
stalks of the leaves of the Andromeda, the Kalmia, and 
the Rhododendron, formerly mentioned to you, 1s con- 
siderably errhine. The powder about the seeds, in the 
seed-vessels of the same vegetables, possesses a similar 
quality. Whether this powder may be advantageously 
employed in practice, I cannot say. 


We have many native species of the genus Euphor- 
bia, or Spurge. There can be little doubt, that some of 
them are sternutative*. 


* The leaves of the American Canadense are errhine. —— To this short 
and imperfect list of the native errhine plants of the United-States, I must 


Section V. SraALAcoGa. 


Tue number of Sativatinc Mepicines is, I be- 
lieve, much greater than has been commonly imagined. 
Perhaps, there are but few of the Incitant medicines 
which may not be so managed as to salivate. Opium, 
camphor, and hemlock* all induce salivationt. 


not omit to add the Helenium autumnale of Linneus. This is an extremely 
common plant in many parts of the Union, growing generally along the mar- 
gins of rivers, and flowering from the latter part of the summer through the 
auturan. The leaves and flowers of this plant possess the sternutative guality 
in an eminent degree: but itis strongest in the flowers, and especially in 
the florets of the disk. A very small quantity of these florets reduced to 
a powder between the fingers, or otherwise, gives a strong and durable im- 
pression, when applied to the nose. Such, indeed, is the degree and dura- 
bility of impression, without at the same time, any of the violent and danger- 
_ ous stimulus, which is the consequence of the application of the juices and 
other preparations of certain species of Euphorbia, of Veratrum album, &e., 
that I do not hesitate to consider the Helenium autumnale (or Sneeze-weed, 
as it is called in some parts of Virginia, &c.) as a valuable addition to the list 
ef our useful medicines. It may be employed either by itself, or combined 
with other vegetable matters; or along with sulphat of mercury, as amercu- 
rial errhine. The good and important effects of these mercurial errhines, and. 
even of the simple vegetable errhines, are frequently so obvious, that it is to 
be regretted that they are not more frequently resorted to by physicians, in 
cases of amaurosis, or gutta serena; in cases of deafness, especially perhaps 
when the affection depends upon a morbid state of the eustachian tube; in 
eases of rheumatic congestions of the jaws, &c. In all these cases the er- 
rhine medicines have often been employed with much advantage by physi- 
cians: and it is a fact that they sometimes give relief when other measures, 
more generally applied, have been applied in vain. A species of Vera- 
trum, or Helonias, nearly allied to the Veratrum album of the old continent, 
is a pretty common plant in many parts of the United-States, and seems to 
possess the same sternutative and other active properties, that the foreign 
plant does. The American plant, to which I allude, is the Veratrum viride 
of Aiton; the Helonias viridis of some later botanists —~-December 2d, 
1810. 


* Conium maculatum. 


} There are many well-attested instances of the salivating power of these 
three medicines. Hemlock, in particular, has been observed to produce this 
effect. I have seen, in a case of mania, a pretty extensive salivation induced 
by camphor. The patient, who had long been ill, was completely cured. This 
case occurred, under my care, in the Pennsylvania Hospital. 


E, 


( 26 “ee 
i am but little acquainted with our indigenous sali- 


vative vegetables. The Seneca Snake-root has, long 
since, been observed to possess this property*. 


Tue Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, or Tooth-ach- 
tree, 1s a very powerful stimulant. Applied to the 
mouth and internal fauces, it occasions a copious flow 
of saliva. By this property, it appears to be a good deal 
allied to the Pyrethrum, Cochelaria, &c. I am informed 
that our plant is not merely an external sialagogue, but 
that even when taken into the stomach, it exerts its 
effects upon the salivary glands. I speak of the bark of 
the plant: but the seed-vessels have the same property. 
This medicine has been given internaily in cases of 
rheumatism. 


Section VI. Emetics. 


Among the indigenous vegetables of our country, 
there are several which are entitled to your intention as 
Eetics. Such are the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, the 
Spire trifoliata, the Asarum Canadense, &c. 


Tue first of these, the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, like 
all the species of the genus, is an extremely active 
plant}. It is employed as an emetic by some of the coun- 


* In a case of hydrothorax (complicated with anasarca), that came under 
my Own notice, the patient, a lady about fifty years of age, was very profuse- 
ly salivated by the use of a strong decoction of the Seneca. 

+ This species of Euphorbia, or Spurge, grows spontaneously in various 
parts of the United-States. In the state of Jersey, within a few miles of Phi- 
ladelphia, it is pretty common, growing in the dry and sandy soil. It flowers 
early in the spring. It is the root which is employed. 


5 ee 

try-people. I do not know the dose. I suppose it is 
small, for it belongs to the head of drastic emetics. 
IT am not certain that it would be a valuable addition to 
the materia medica; but, perhaps, it would. There are 
many cases in which we have occasion to make use of 
immediate and active emetics; as when certain poisons, 
such as laudanum, &c. have been swallowed. In such 
cases it may, possibly, be of much use. 


I can speak with more confidence of the Spirea 
trifoliata. This is a shrub, which grows very plentifully 
in various parts of the United-States. It is one of the 
few active plants of the class Jcosandria, to which it be- 
longs*. The root, which is the part made use of, like 
that of the officinal ipecacuanha, consists of a cortex or 
bark, and a ligneous or woody part. The active power 
of the root seems to reside exclusively in the bark. It 
is a safe and efficacious emetic, in doses of about thirty 
grains. Along with its emetic, it seems to possess a 
tonic, power. It has, accordingly, been thought peculiar- 
ly beneficial in the intermittent fever; and it is often 
given to horses to mend their appetite. This plant has 
a number of different names, such as Ipecacuanha, In- 
dian-Physic, Bowman’s root, &c. 


We have several species of the genus Asarum, or 
Asarabacca. Iam best acquainted with the Asarum 
Canadense, which is well known by the name of Wild- 


* Linnzus thought it very remarkable, that a plant belonging, as this does, 
to the order of Senticose, should possess such active powers. ‘* Spireain tri- 
Joliatam Ipecacuanam vocant & vomitum facere dicunt, quod sane singulare 
esset in hoc ordine:” viz. Senticose. Caroli a Linne, M. D. Prelectiones in Or- 
dines Naturales Plantarum. Edidit P. D. Giseke. p. 449. Hamburgi: 1792. 
But it might be shown, that other plants of the same natural order are con- 
siderably active. Not to mention others, it will be suficient to observe, in 
this place, that the Spirza Opuli folia, well known, in the United-States, by 
#e name of Nine-Bark, is by no means an inert vegetable 


Ginger*. In Virginia, it is called Coltsfoot. Both the 
root and leaves may be used. The expressed juice oi 
the fresh leaves is a powerful emetic. 


Some of our Indians also prepare an emetic from 
the bark of a certain vine, which a good deal resembies 
the Celastrus scandens of Linneus. This vine bears 
bunches of red berries of a sweetish taste, but of a poi- 
sonous nature. I know nothing of this plant from my 
own experience; but a gentlemant whohas used it preiers 
it to every other emetic. The Indians make a decoc- 
tion of the bark. A large dose is required to produce 
the effect. This is certainly an objection against its use. 


A pecocrion of the Eupatorium perfoliatum, or 
Thorough-worti, is also emetic. I might have observ- 
ed, that this plant is used by our Indians as a medicine 
in intermittent fevers. 


Tue root of the Sanguinaria Canadensis§ has been 
mentioned to me as an emetic. I know nothing parti- 
cular of this property of the plant. I should have observ- 
ed, under the head of GENERAL STIMULANTS, that 
the seeds appear to possess nearly the same quality as 
the seeds of the Datura Stramonium. 


IT wave been assured, that the Six-Nations make 
use of at least twelve or fourteen different emetics. All 


* This has already been mentioned, as an errhine medicine. See page 24. 

} Mr. John Heckewelder. 

+ In some of the New-England states, this plant is called Thorough-wax. 
‘his, like a very large proportion of the American names for plants, is mis- 
applied. The Thorough-wax ofthe English is a species of Bupleurum, a plant, 
‘oto coelo, different from the Eupatorium perfoliatum. 


§ Called, in the United-States, Indian-Paint, Puccoon, Turmeric, &c. 


( #9 9) 
of them, except the sulphat of iron, are vegetables. It 
is probable that the Spireza Ipecacuanha, Euphorbia 
Ipecacuanha, &c. are among the number of these vege- 
table emetics. 


I sHaxt conclude this subject of emetics by recom- 
mending to your attention an examination of the pro- 
perties of some of our native species of Viola, or Vio- 
let. I suspect it will be found, that the roots of some of 
these are indued with an useful emetic quality. 


Section VII. Catuarr’rics. 


We have many indigenous Caruartics. Some 
of them are well worthy of your attention. These may 
be divided into two kinds, the milder, and the more 
drastic. 


Amonc the more mild, I may mention the Trioste- 
um perfoliatum, sometimes called Bastard-Ipecacuanha. 
This, when given in very large doses, sometimes proves 
emetic; hence the vulgar name. But I find it a good 
cathartic. The cortex, or bark, of the root is employ- 
ed. I give it in doses of twenty and thirty grains. On 
some occasions, it has seemed to operate as a diuretic. 
But this may have been only an accidental circumstance. 
Rhubarb sometimes produces the same effect, as has 
been observed by C. Piso. 


Neary allied to the Triosteum, I mean in its pro- 
perties, is the Asclepias decumbens. This is one of 


, 30! 


our most beautiful and common plants. It has received 
many vulgar names, such as pleurisy-root, Flux-root, 
Butterfly-weed, &c. It has been much celebrated, es- 
pecially in Virginia, as a remedy in dysentery. I have 
used it, and I think with advantage. I believe it does 
good principally by its purgative quality. The dose is 
from twenty to thirty grains of the root, in powder. A 
great deal has been said about the virtue of this vegeta- 
ble in pleurisy.—The powder of this Asclepias is escar- 
otic, and has been found useful in restraining fungous 
flesh in ulcers. I believe this, and not the Poke*, ag 
has been supposed, is the plant which is employed by 
our southern Indians, in cases of venereal chancre. 


Tue dried fruit of our Papaw, or Custard-apple, the 
Annona triloba of Linnzus, is likewise purgative. I 
can say nothing of it froma my own experience. 


I xnow nothing, from experience, of the Mecha- 
meck, or Wild-Rhubarb, of some of our Indians. It is, 
certainly, a species of Convolvulus, or Bind-weed, and 
I believe the Convolvulus panduratust, which in Vir- 
ginia is called Wild Potatoe. Its name, Wild-Rhu- 
barb, implies that it is a purgative. An extract but lit- 
tle, if any thing, inferior to the Scammony of the shops, 
has been procured from one of our species of Convolvu- 
lus. One must have a good deal of medical faith to 
believe what Catesby has said concerning the remarka- 
ble power of the Convolvulus purpureus, or Purple- 
Bindweedt. 


* Phytolacca decandra, 


+ It is, without doubt, the Convolvulus panduratus. This plant is called, in 
the state of Delaware, Wild-Potatoe-Vine; and the root Kussauder, or Kas- 
sader (which is a corruption of the word Cassada); Negro names, I presume. 


} The Natural History of Carolina, &c. Vol. L. p. 35. 


More active than any of the native purgatives, 
which I have mentioned, is the Podophyllum peltatum 
of Linnzus. This is a very common plant through the 
whole of the United-States, and in other parts of North- 
America. It is known by a variety of names, such as 
May-apple, Mandrake, Ipecacuanha, Wild-lemons, &c. 
The fruit is esculent, and by many persons is thought 
delicious. The leaves are poisonous. It is the root 
which is used in practice. In doses of twenty grains, it 
is an excellent cathartic. It has some advantages over 
the rhubarb and jalap. It is most advantageously used 
in combination with calomel, or the crystals of tartar. I 
have heard much of the virtues of an extract prepared 
of this root; but have never used it. 


Tuere is aplant which was thought by Linneus 
to be a species of the same genus. He called it Podo. 
phyllum diphylium. I have shown, that it is a new ge- 
nus*. I have not been able to collect a sufficient quan- 
tity of this to ascertain its powers; but, judging by the 
taste and smell, which it must be confessed are some- 
times fallacious tests, I suspect its root possesses the 
virtues of the May-apple, or Podophyllum peltatum. 


Tue Cassia Marilandica, one of our finest plants, be- 
longs to the same genus as the senna of the shops. The 
American species possesses nearly the same virtues as 
the Eastern species. It is used asa purgative, in differ- 
ent parts of the United-States. 


Aw extract prepared from the inner bark of the Jug- 
lans cinerea, or Butternut- Walnut, has long been used 
as a purgative in the United-States. It is a valuable 


* See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. LLY. No. xfi 


( s2 ) 

medicine. As it is often, however, very carelessly pre- 
pared by the country-people, it has gone into some kind 
of neglect. Ir ought to be prepared by the better in- 
formed apothecaries, and have a place in the Pharma- 
copeeia of this country, WHEN sUCH A DESIDERATUM 
SHALL BE SUPPLIED. The dose of this extract is from 
ten to thirty grains. I have thought it possesses some- 
thing of an anodyne property. 


IT wave been told, that some of our Indians use as a 
cathartic a decoction of the bark of the root of the Dir- 
ca palustris, or Leather-wood, already mentioned to 
you. Of this property of the Dirca I know nothing far- 
ther. 


Tue decoction or powder of the root of the Polygala 
Senega, or Seneca Snake-root, is also a purgative. Dr. 
Cullen, indeed, thinks its purgative is its most striking 
property, and therefore he arranges it under his head of 
cathartics*. 


Some of our native species of Iris, or Flag, are pow- 
erful cathartics. Such are the Iris versicolor, and the 
Iris verna. They are both used by our southern Indi- 
anst. I can say nothing certain concerning the dose of 
these vegetables. It is doubtless small, for they are 
very active plants. Several of the European species of 
Tris are irritating cathartics. 


A species of Croton, or perhaps of Stillingia, is 


* © T have put it into the catalogue of purgatives, as this is the only ope- 
* pation of it that is constantly very evident; and perhaps all its other virtues 
*© depend upon this.” A Treatise of the Materia Medica. Vol. II. p. 552. 
Edinburgh: 1789. 4to. 


* Mr. William Bartram. 


( 8.) 

used in the southern states, as a cathartic. It enters 
into the composition of a medicine which has acquired 
much celebrity in the cure of that hideous disease the 
frambesia, or yaws. This plant grows spontaneously 
on the dry, high lands of Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. 
It is called Yaw-weed, and Cock-up-Hat. The Stillin- 
gia sylvatica, perhaps the very plant I have been speak- 
ing of, is said to be a specific in the venereal disease*. 


* Bernard Romans says, the Jalap grows wild near Pensacola, in West- 
Florida. Possibly, he has mistaken for it some other species of Convolvulus. 
i am now persuaded, that the genuine Jalap of the shops (the Convolvulus 
Jalapa of Linnzus, of which Mr. Desfontaines has lately published an ample 
history, illustrated by a fine engraving) is not, as has been asserted, a native 
of any part of the United-States: nor do I believe it occurs, as an indigenous 
plant, in West-Florida. The plant alluded to by Romans is, in all probability, 
the Ipomoea macrorhiza of Michaux (Flora Boreali- Americana, &c. Tom. 
i. p. 141.), which this writer mentions as a native of the maritime parts of 
Georgia and Florida. The rootis very large, sometimes weighing at least 
fifty or sixty pounds. It is found to be a good cathartic, and well worthy of a 
place in the shops, but it is inferior to the best Jalap of the shops. The pow- 
der of the root is of a paler colour than Jalap, and much more resembles 
the Mechoacan of the shops. Possibly, they are not different. A late very 
respectable writer (Mr. Persoon) has given it as his opinion, that, Michaux’s 
plant (Ipomoea macrorhiza) is no other than the genuine Jalap. But this 
is, unquestionably a mistake. The true Jalap is a species of Convolvulus.— 
The Ricinus communis, from the seed of which we procure that invaluable 
purgative medicine, the Castor-oil (so indispensably necessary in the treat- 
ment of colica pictoneum, dysentery, and many of the affections of children 
especially), grows wild and in great abundance, upon the river St. John, in 
the Peninsula of East-Florida. It 1s now cultivated in many parts of the 
United-States, and is deemed, even in a pecuniary point of view, an object 
worthy of the attention of many of our farmers and planters in Maryland, 
Virginia, the state of Ohio, &c.—1810. 


tr 


es 


Sectron VIII. Diuretics. 


Divrertics have so long been employed, with be- 
nefit, in the treatment of dropsies, that it becomes a 
matter of consequence to increase the number of the 
medicines of this class, and to learn how to exhibit, 
with more advantage, those which are already known. 
T do not mean by this observation to assert, that drop- 
sies cannot be cured without the use of diuretic medi- 
cines. On the contrary, I am persuaded that they can, 
and often are, especially when the dropsy depends upon 
fever, or is connected with it. But, in the management 
of all kinds of dropsies, it is often necessary to have re- 
course to the use of diuretics, and I believe that some 
of the worst forms of this disease, such as hydrothorax, 
are most effectually cured by these medicines. The 
Digitalis purpurea, so much and so justly celebrated at 
present, is not, to my knowledge, a native of any part 
of America*. But we have several native diuretics, 
which deserve the attention of our physicians. Such 
are the Seneca-Snake-root, the Lobelia siphilitica, the 
Serratula spicata, the Cassena, and others. 


Tue first of these, the Polygala Senega of the bota- 
nists, along with its diuretic, possesses an emetic, ca- 
thartic, expectorant, salivating, and diaphoretic power. 


* IT have, somewhere, seen the Digitalis enumerated among the indige- 
nous medicinal vegetables of the United-States. I know not, however, upon 
what authority, itis called an American plant. I suspect, some species of 
Gerardia has been taken for it. The Digitalis, however, bears, extremely 
well, the open ground of Pennsylvania, and other parts of the United-States. 
It will, zn time, assume the appearance of a native, among the many other 
foreign vegetables, which (especially in the older-settled parts of the Uni- 
ted-States) are commonly considered as natives, though, in fact, they are 
merely naturalized foreigners. 


ee (5 °) 

I have already hinted at its salivating and cathartic ope- 
ration. As a diuretic, it has been employed, and found 
useful, in dropsy, by Tennent, Bouvart, and other wri- 
ters. Lam informed, that it has lately been used, with 
great success, in the treatment of the cynanche trachea- 
lis, or croup, by Dr. Archer of Maryland. He uses a 
strong decoction of the root, which operates as an eme- 
tic, cathartic, and expectorant. This medicine some- 
times operates so powerfully as a sudorific, that I have 
been assured it has been known to remove portions of 
the mucous body, or rete mucosum, from the skin of 
blacks who have used it. I do not vouch for the truth 
of this fact: but I must confess that to me the circum- 
stance does nct seem improbable. Our Indians use a 
decoction of this root in syphilis*. I have no confi- 
dence in the powers which have been ascribed to the 
Seneca, in curing the bite of the rattle-snaket. Besides 
the Polygala Senega, we have several other native spe- 
cies of this genus. I do not know how far they possess 
the powers which have been ascribed to the Seneca it- 
self. It is probable that they only differ in degreet. 
Kiernander, a long time ago, remarked that the Polyga- 
la vulgaris, which grows spontaneously in Europe, pos- 
sesses, though in a less eminent degree, the virtues of 
the celebrated American species§. 


* They also make use of it in the malignant sore-throat! a disease often 
very closely allied to croup. 


{ See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. III. No. xi. 


+ From some experiments which I have made with the Polygala sangui- 
yea, which grows abundantly in the vicinity of Philadelphia, I am led to 
think, that this species may be employed, as an excellent substitute for the 
common species, now in use. 


§ See his paper, entitled Radix Senega, in the Amoenitates Academice 
Vol. IL, Dissertatio xxii. 


( 36 ) 

‘ux Lobelia siphilitica is also considerably diuretic. 
This plant was purchased from the northern Indians, 
by the late Sir William Johnson, as a remedy in the ve- 
nereal disease: hence its specific name, siphilitica. I do 
not believe, after paying some attention to the subject, 
that this plant has cured confirmed syphilis. I know that 
the Indians, even those who are best acquainted with 
the plant, are glad to have an opportunity of applying 
to the Whites for relief, when they have the disease. 
They, certainly, do not trust the cure entirely to the 
Lobelia. They use the bark of the Wild-cherry (Prunus 
Virginiana), the root of the May-apple (Podophyllum 
peltatum), and many other plants*. I believe, however, 
that the Lobelia has been of service in the disease. In 
gonorrhoea it has certainly performed a cure; but the 
tendency of the constitution, unaided by medicines, to 
get rid of this complaint, is well known. I may here 
observe, that gonorrhoea appears to be much more com- 
mon among the Indians than syphilis. The Lobelia 
seems to operate chiefly by its diuretic quality. From 
their ignorance of botany, many persons in the western 


* After'a careful and pretty extensive inquiry into the subject, I have 
nearly satisfied myself, that the disease of syphilis was entirely unknown 
among the North-American Indians, before they became acquainted with the 
Whites. Many of our Indians (in truth, I believe af/ the tribes) speak of it 
as a foreign disease, communicated by the Whites. In this respect, they ar-, 
range syphilis (including gonorrhoea) along with small-pox, measles, and 
some other affections, which are, unquestionably, of forezgn origin. I am not 
ignorant, that the late governor M. Lewis was led by his observations among 
the Indians in the western parts of North-America, towards the Pacific 
ocean, to suppose, and even to assert, that the smalj-pox is truly one of the 
indigenous diseases of North-America. But I am persuaded, that there is a 
fallacy in this observation, as I shall show in an express essay on the diseases 
and remedies of the Indians: and in this essay, I shall also give, at some 
jength, my reasons for believing, that neither syphilis nor gonorrhoea were 
known, in any part of North-America, priorto the conquest of Mexico and 
Florida, by the armies of Cortes and Soto, in the beginning and towards the 
middle of the 16th century.—1810. 


( 37) 

country have been using a plant, which they call Lobe- 
lia, in the same complaints. I have received specimens 
of the plant under the name of Lobelia. It proves to be 
the Serratula spicata*, or Spiked Saw-wort. There is 
good reason to believe, that it has been found useful, 
not only in venereal complaints, but also in cases of ne- 
phritis calculosa, or gravel. THus IGNORANCE SOME- 
TIMES LEADS TO KNOWLEDGE. This supposed Lobelia 
is a powerful diuretic. The Indians sometimes drink 
the decoction of it so strong, that it occasions gleetst. It 
is the root of the plant which is commonly employed, 
but the flowers and the leaves may also be used. 


Aw infusion of another species of Lobelia, I believe 
the Lobelia inflatat, has been found very useful in the 
leucorrhoea, or whites. It is a lactescent, and very ac- 


* The Serratula spicata of Linnzus is now referred tothe genus Liatris, 
and is the Liatris spicata of Willdenow and Persoon:—the Liatris macros , 
tachya of Michaux. It is a common plant in many parts of the United-States, 
growing especially in the mountainous tracts of country.—1810. 


{ They cure these gleets by eating turpentine, as Iam informed by my 
respectable friend Colonel Winthrop Sargent, late Governor of the Missis- 
sippi-Territory. An old Indian assured Mr. Sargent, that a decoction of this 
Serratula cures syphilis, in all its forms. Dr. Allison, one of the army-phy- 
sicians, has an high opinion of the plant, in this disease. I am told, thata 
physician, at Pittsburgh, has found it an efficacious medicine in the gravel 
It certainly ought to have a fair trial in these diseases. The late Major Jona- 
than Hart assured me, that the Indians northwest of the Ohio coukl not 
cure confirmed syphilis. He said the Lobelia (I suppose the Serratula spi- 
cata) had been of service in slight cases: but he was persuaded that the In- 
dians would fall victims to the general complaint, if they were to trust whol. 
ly to their own remedies. Mr. Wilson, a gentleman well acquainted with the 
Indians, particularly the Delawares and the Shawneese, most confidently as- 
sured me, that they cannot cure the venereal disease, ‘* when it gets into the 
“ blood;” but that they can cure the gonorrhoea He also said, they can re- 
move the venereal disease for a time, but * that it will break out again.” 


+ I now find, that itis the inflata. This is a very common plant in many 
parts of the United-States. Perhaps, this is the species of Lobelia, which is 
called, in New-England, Emetic-weed. 


( 38 
tive plant. [ do not know that this acts as a diuretic, 


and it would have been more proper to have mentioned 
the plant under the head of stimulants. hy 


Tue Cassena is a species of Ilex, or Holly. It is the 
Hex vomitoria of Aiton, and is a native of Carolina, 
West-Florida, &c. It has been called South-Sea-tea, 
or Evergreen-Cassine. It is thought to be one of the 
most powerful diuretics hitherto discovered. It is held 
in great esteem among the southern Indians. They 
toast the leaves and make a decoction of them. It is 
the men alone that are permitted to drink this decoc- 
tion, which is called ‘* Black Drink.” 


Tue Medeola Virginica grows plentifully in the 
vicinity of this city, and in almost every other part of 
the United-States. Its root is white, and tastes a good 
deal like the cucumber, which has given the plant the 
name of Cucumber-root*. Iam told that this root is 
diuretic, and has cured dropsies. The sensible quali- 
ties of the plant do not promise much; but this does not 
prove that it is not an useful medicine. 


ee 


Section IX. ANTHELMINTICS. 


Or the class of medicines called ANTHELMINTICS, 
or destroyers and expellers of worms, we have several 
which are entitled to your notice. One of the most ce- 
lebrated of these is the Carolina Pink-root, the Spige- 
ha Mariiandica of Linneus. This is a very common 


* It is also called Indian Cucumber 


€ 2 ) 

plant in our southern states. It is a valuable medicine, 
as has been demonstrated by the physicians of Europe, 
and of this country. It is commonly given in the form 
of an infusion, or tea; but I prefer the exhibition of it 
in powder. It has been accused of occasioning, for a 
short time, a disagreeable affection of the eyes. But 
this effect may often be prevented by combining with 
the Spigelia, some of the common Virginia Snake- 
root. The Cheerake-Indians have so high an opinion 
of this plant, that it would sometimes be dangerous for 
a person to be detected in digging it up, to carry it 
out of the country. The Whites learned the anthel- 
mintic powers of this vegetable from the Indians*. 
The Spigelia is said to possess other valuable proper- 
ties. Infused in wine, it has been found an useful me- 
dicine in intermittent fevers. But I can say nothing 
particular concerning the precise mode of administering 
it in this case. 


Tue Chenopodium anthelminticum grows plentifully 
in the United-States. It is commonly called Worm- 
seed. The whole plant has a most powerful smell, of 
which it is very retentive. The taste is bitter, with a 
good deal of aromatic acrimony. 


Tue roct of the May-apple (Podophyllum pelta- 
tum), which I have mentioned to you, under the head 
of cathartics, has often been found to operate as an an- 
thelmintic. It is used as such by the Checrake, and 


* A convincing proof of this, I apprehend, that the American Indians, in 
common with the rest of mankind, are subject to worms, and to the diseases 
arising from worms. But, more than this, in my Memotr on the Diseases and 
Remedies of the Indians, 1 shall show, that the children of the savages are 
remarkably subject to worms, and to the /arvae of insects introduced ints 


the system, along with their crude, and often unwholesome, aliment. 


CD 
other southern Indians. Whether it operates by its ca- 
thartic quality exclusively, or partly by some other 
quality, deleterious to the worms, I cannot say. The 
Whites learned from the Indians the anthelmintic power 
of this plant*. , 


Tue Helleborus feetidus, or Stinking Hellebore, has 
been mentioned as a powerful anthelmintic, by Bisset, 
and other European writers. It has been used in this 
country, and has been found very efficacious. It is sup- 
posed to have been the worm-medicine of a Dr. Witt, 
who acquired much reputation by the use of itt. 


Tue Cheerake use a decoction of the. root of the 
beautiful Lobelia Cardinalis, or Cardinal-Flower, as a 
remedy against worms. I have already mentioned the 
diuretic quality of another species of this genus, the 
Lobelia siphilitica. 


Tue seeds of the Common Tobacco (Nicotiana 
Tabacum) have also been found useful as an anthel- 
mintic. 


Tue Silene Virginica, or Ground-Pink, as it is called 
in some parts of our country, is another native anthel- 
mintic. A decoction of the root is used, and is said to 
have been found a very efficacious remedyf. 


* The best time for gathering the May-apple, for medical purposes, is the 
autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow, and are about falling off. The 
Indians dry it in the shade, and powder it for use. 


tam indebted to Dr. Adam Kubn for this information. He says that 
Witi used the powder of the leaves, in combination with the ethiops mine- 
ral. {tis probable, he added the ethiops merely with the view to disguise 
the vegetable. 


+ From the information of my friend, the late learned Dr. James Green 


| (a ) 

I wave not lost all confidence in the anthelmintic 
powers ascribed to the Polypodium vulgare, or Male- 
Fern. I do suppose, however, that too much has been 
ascribed. to this plant. We have several native species 
of this genus, which it would, at least, be a matter of 
curiosity to examine. The Polypodium Virginianum 
grows about this city, and probably possesses the same 
powers as the European species. 


A VEGETABLE, Called the Pride of India*, has lately 
been mentioned as an excellent anthelmintic. The bark 
of the root has been used as such in South-Carolina. 
This vegetable, the Melia Azedarach of Linneus, is__ 
not a native of our country. ; 


I suaut conclude this account of our anthelmintics 
by observing, that the southern Indians dress all their 
dishes, prepared of the Indian-corn, or maize (Zea 
Mays), with a strong lixivium, or lye, of the ashes of 
bean-stalks and other vegetables, in order to prevent the 
generation of worms. They are of opinion, that this 
grain nourishes the worms exceedinglyt. Nor is this 
opinion peculiar to the indians. 


way, of Virginia. This species of Silene, or Catch-fly, grows abundantly, 
in many parts of the United-States, as in Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. &c. 
Some of our Indians have told me, that it is a poisonous plant. This is highly 
probable, if it be a fact, that itis a very etticacious anthelmintic. 


* In South-Carolina, it is also called Poison-Berry-tree, and China-tree. 
The former is its most common appellation in that state. 


+ Cornplanter, a very intelligent Seneca chief, has said, that one reason 
why the Indians do not rear so many children as the Whites is this, that the 
children of the former eat large quantities of green maize. Certain it is, that 
the Indians lose great numbers of their children; and I have, in their villages, 
remarked, that the children have often a pallid, unhealthy appearance, and 
very tumid bellies. 


oom 
— 
bo 

wS 


I nave thus, Gentlemen, endeavoured to present 
you with a specimen, or rather rude outline, of An Es- 
say towards a Materia Medica of the United- States. 
My object has been a collection of facts. I could have 
wished for more leisure to have pursued the subject: 
‘but that leisure I do not possess. I hope, however, that, 
with all its imperfections, I have presented you with 
a sketch which will not prove unacceptable to you. I 
have opened a path, which deserves to be trod by you 
all. 


THE man who discovers one valuable new medi- 
cme is a more important BENEFacToR to his species, 
than Alexander, Cesar, or an hundred other conquer- 
ors. Even his glory, in the estimation of a zruly civil- 
ized age, will be greater, and more lasting, than that of 
these admired RAVAGERS OF THE wWoRLD. I will ven- 
ture to go farther. All the splendid discoveries of New- 
ton are not of so much real utility to the world, as the 
discovery of the PERuvian BARK, or of the powers of 
opium and MERCURY, :: the cure of certain diseases. 
If the distance of time, or the darkness of history, did 
not prevent us from ascertaining, who first discovered 
the properties of the Poppy, that ‘* sweet oblivious an- 
tidote”’ for alleviating pain, and for soothing, while the 
memory remains, those rooted sorrows which disturb 
our happiness: if we could tell, who first discovered the 
mighty strength of Mercury in strangling the hydra of 
pleasures and of generation: if we could even ascertain 
who was the native of Peru, that first experienced and 
revealed to his countrymen the powers of the Bark in 
curing intermittent fevers; would not the civilized na- 


( ‘4s )) 

tions of mankind, with one accord, concur in erecting 
durable monuments of granite and of brass to such be- 
nefactors of the species? Would not even the savage, 
who wants not a sense of benefits conferred upon him, 
be seen to form the tumulus of stones, or to raise the 
green sod, the only monuments his humble condition 
would admit of his erecting? And may we not yet look 
for the discovery of medicines as important to mankind 
as Opium, the Bark, and Mercury? 


For this purpose (the discovery of new and valua- 
ble medicines), your situation, Gentlemen, is peculiar- 
ly happy. In the pursuit of one of the most dignified 
and most useful of all the sciences, you are placed in an 
extensive country, the productions of which have never 
been investigated with accuracy, or with zeal. From 
this school*, I will venture to call itthe Puncrum Sa- 
BIENs of the science of our country, you are to spread 
yourselves over the happiest and one of the fairest por- 
tions of the world. In whatever part of this vast conti- 
nent you may be placed, you will find an abundant field 
of new and interesting objects to reap in. The volume 
of nature lies before you: it has hardly yet been open- 
ed: it has never been perused. But by your assistance, 
the knowledge of the natural productions of our coun- 
try may be greatly extended; and travellers shall then 
no longer upbraid us with an utter ignorance of the 
treasures which an all-benevolent Providence has so 
largely bestowed upon us. May I not flatter myself, 
that among the number of those whom I am now ad- 
dressing, there are some of you for whom medical dis- 
coveries of importance are reserved? discoveries which 


* The University of Pennsylyania 


ae 
would add a lustre to your names, whilst they would 
ensure to you that which is much more to be desired, 
in this mixed scene of affairs, AN HAPPINESS THAT IS 
IMBOSOMED IN THE HAPPINESS OF ONE’S COUNTRY, 
AND THE WORLD. | 


END OF THE DISCOURSE. 


APPENDIX, 


CONTAINING 
ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADDITIONS: 


PAGE 7. “ The chemical history of the Maize, or 
Indian corn,”? &c. Since I delivered this discourse to 
the Medical Society, I have met* with some account of 
Marabelli’s analysis of this valuable grain. This ana- 
lysis is, certainly, more complete than that of any pre- 
ceding writer: but it is not as complete as it should be. 
According to Marabelli, the grain of maize “ contains a 
** saccharine matter of different degrees of purity, from 
** which alcohol, the oxalic and acetous acids, may be 
*« obtained; a vegetable amylaceous substance, a gluti- 
** nous substance; muriat and nitrat of magnesia; car- 
‘< bonats of potash, lime, and magnesia; and iron.” 


Page 8. Geranium maculatum. This, I have little 
doubt, is the Geranium noveboracense, which is men- 
tioned in Coelln’s paper, entitled Specifica Canadensi- 
um}. On the authority of Governor Colden, it is said, 
in that paper, that a decoction of the root of this plant, 
is used by the inhabitants of New-York, in cases of dy- 
sentery. 


*In Duncan’s Annals of Medicine, for the year 1798, Vol. II. p. 208—211 
{ See Amoenitates Academice. Vol. IV. p. 622. 


P88: +) 

Page 9. Acraza racemosa. The Indians make use 
of a decoction of this plant, along with other vegetables, 
as a remedy, given internally, for rheumatism: but they 
depend much more upon a decoction of the roots of the 
Acta, externally applied. In may not be incurious to 
mention their manner of employing it. They make a 
hole in the ground, into which they put a kettle, contain- 
ing a quantity of the hot decoction. The rheumatic limb 
is laid over the kettle, in such a manner as to receive 
the influence of the steam. They keep up the heat of the 
decoction, by putting into it, occasionally, hot stones. 
I presume that the heat, independently of the vegetable 
employed, has something to doin the cure. 


Page 10. LiquipamBar asplenifolium. Colden was 
informed, that the Indians chew the root of this vege- 
table, with a view to stop hemorrhages in recent wounds. 
This effect of the Sweet-Fern may, perhaps, meet with 
some credit from those who have witnessed the wonder- 
ful powers of small doses of the preparations of lead, in 
diminishing and stopping, almost immediately after 
their reception into the stomach, hemorrhages from the 
uterus, intestines, &c. 


Page 11. Spawisu oak. Ina case of gangrene of the 
foot, from a puncture of a nail, which came under my 
notice in the course of the last summer, I gave to the 
patient very large quantities of a decoction of this oak- 
bark; at the same time that the affected part was con- 
stantly kept wet with the same decoction, or with a poul- 
tice made of bread and milk, with the bark. I cannot 
but ascribe the recovery of my patient entirely to the use 
of these means; and I am emboldened to recommend to 
my countrymen the use of this cheap remedy, as one 
highly worthy of their attention, m similar cases. 


( me) 

Page 11. Persimmon. The bark of the root of the 
Persimmon was one of the principal tonic medicines 
which were employed in the treatment of dropsies, by the 
late Dr. Matthew Wilson, of Lewes, in the state of Dela- 
ware. Of this medicine Dr. Wilson had an high opinion; 
and he has particularly remarked, that it gently purges; 
an effect which I have observed from the employment 
of galls, alum, and several other astringents. Many oF 
THE ASTRINGENT MEDICINES DO PURGE. 


Page 12. Cornus florida, or common Dogwood. 
The bark of the root, stem, and smaller branches is 
used. That of the root is, by most persons, deemed the 
more efficacious. Sometimes, the bark of this Dog- 
wood is combined with that of the Liriodendron, and 
used either in decoction, or in substance. 


Page 13. ‘ I am well acquainted with a physician,”’ 
&c. The room in which the flowers of the Magnolia 
glauca produced the effects here mentioned, was not a 
small one, and was well aired. It was in the month of 
June. The late Mr. S. P. of Philadelphia, was always 
affected with a sense of great uneasiness about his chest, 
and with a strong tendency to fainting, whenever he en- 
tered a room where the flower of this Magnolia was.— 
A decoction of the bark of the root of the Magnolia is 
said to have been found very useful in the treatment of 
rheumatic affections. 


Page 14. Tue Liriodendron Tulipifera. In some 
parts of the United-States, the bark of this tree has been 
used, and has acquired much reputation, as a remedy 
in cases of gout and rheumatism. As a medicine pos- 
sessing properties very nearly allied to those of the 


(? 48 

calida amara, or heating bitters, which have, for ages, 
formed a part of the celebrated gout-powders, I think it 
not improbable, that the Liriodendron may have been 
used, with the seeming advantage of putting off, for a 
time, the inflammatory paroxysm of the gout. But the 
well-known history of the gout-powder is not calcula- 
ted to encourage one to use (as a remedy, for the worst 
of diseases) a medicine which might only alter the shape 
of the disease, and give it a direction to the more essen- 
tially important part of the human frame. 


Page 17. Darura Stramonium. Since the publi- 
cation of the first edition of my Collections, I have had 
many opportunities of employing this medicine. I have 
used it chiefly in the form of an extract, prepared from 
the fresh leaves. I have principally exhibited it m cases 
of mania and epilepsy. I cannot hesitate to say, that it 
is a medicine of great and invaluable powers. It is 
my intention to publish the particulars of the cases in 
which I have employed this medicine, in a separate 
work*. I shall, therefore, content myself, in this place, 
with observing, that I have found the Stramonium es- 
pecially beneficial in cases of mania attended with little 
or no fever, or with acold skim, and languid circulation. 
I have thought it necessary to give the medicine in very 
large doses. Beginning with a few grains, the dose is 
gradually increased, and in a few days it may, with safe- 
ty, be taken to the extent of fifteen or twenty grains. In 
one ‘case of mania, I, at length, gave it to the extent of 
sixty grains, at a dose. When the patient had conti- 
nuec upon this dose for some time, she broke out into 
biles upon various parts of the body, and was, at length, 
discharged from the Hospital, perfectly cured. In se- 


* Medical Facets, Experiments, Observations and Inquirics. 


C=) 

veral other cases of mania, the Datura has been of es- 
sential use. Except in one case, I have not perceived 
any inconvenience from it. In this case, whilst the pa- 
tient was taking the medicine to the extent of thirty-two 
grains, it produced a very enlarged dilatation of the pu- 
pil of the left eye, and a palsy of the palpebra of the 
same eye. But even this was only a temporary incon- 
venience, which was removed, in a very short time, by 
the application of a blister. The patient resumed the 
use of the extract, and was finally discharged from the 
Hospital, apparently cured. 


Tue beneficial effects of the Stramonium in cases of 
epilepsy have been likewise very manifest. In a case 
of epilepsy, accompanied, at various periods, with fe- 
ver, the medicine seémed to increase the sense of fulness 
in the head, and other disagreeable symptoms. But in 
several other cases, I exhibited it with the most mani- 
fest advantage. Although in no case have I been able 
to effect a cure with the Stramonium, I have, certainly, 
administered it with the effect of protracting the fits, and 
of diminishing their violence. Perhaps, much more than 
this cannot be said, with a strict regard to caution, of 
any other of the many medicines which have been re- 
commended for the cure of epilepsy. 


I nave been informed, that in the state of Kentucky, 
the seeds of the Stramonium are sometimes exhibited, 
with advantage, in cases of chronic rheumatism. On 
this subject, I cannot say any thing from my own expe- 
rience. The seeds of this vegetable are, unquestionably, 
endued with very active powers. This is abundantly 
evident from the pernicious effects which are so fre- 
quently observed in children, who have swallowed the 


H 


C* aa 
seeds. Dr. John Archer of Maryland, has found them 


of much advantage in cases of epilepsy*. I have used 
them, with seeming benefit, in a case of mania. 


For much information concerning the Stramonium,, 
I refer the reader to the late ingenious Dr. Samuel 
Cooper’s Inaugural Dissertation on the Properties and 
Effects of the Datura Stramonium, &c. Philadelphia: 
1797. This is a dissertation of great merit. It is well. 
calculated to show, how much might have been expect- 
ed from the labours of the amiable author, had it pleased 
Providence to prolong his existence, to a more matured 
age. 

Page 18. Kaumra Latifolia. I have now employed 
the powder of the leaves of this plant, exhibited inter- 
nally, in some cases of tinea capitis. In this very trou- 
blesome disease, the Kalmia is, certamly, a medicine 
entitled to attention. I have also employed the powder of 
the leaves, made into an ointment with lard, and exter- 
nally applied to a disagreeable herpetic affection of the 
skin. In this case, also, I have found it extremely use- 
ful.—Even in confirmed syphilis, it has seemed to do 
good. In South-Carolina, this species of Kalmia is cal- 
fed Calico-tree. 


The properties of Kalmia angustifolia, or narrow | 
leaved Kalmia, seem upon the whole, to be nearly simi- 
lar to those of Kalmia latifolia. The former is, I think, 
the more powerful plant of the two. I have been assured, 
that an infusion of the twigs and leaves of this Kalmia. 
is employed, with much advantage, in some parts of 
Pennsylvania, &c., as a remedy for dysentery. I regret 


* See Dr. Cooper’s Inaugural Dissertation, &c. p. 52—54. 


( 
that I am unable to say any thing more particular on 
the subject. 


Page 19. “ A pecocTion of the Andromeda Mari- 
““ana has been found useful as a wash in a disagreeable 
“ulceration of the feet, which is not uncommon among 
“the slaves, &c. in the Southern states.” This com- 
plaint is very common, particularly among the negroes, 
and the poorer sort of white people, in Carolina, Geor- 
gia, &c. It is called “ toe-itch,” and “ ground-itch.” 
It is a kind of ulcerous excoriation between the toes, 
sometimes extending as high as the instep, and is at- 
tended with most intolerable itching. It 1s, probably, 
in a great measure, the consequence of inattention to 
cleanliness. Is it occasioned by particular insects? Some 
persons, with whom I have conversed on the subject, 
are of opinion, that it is owing to the great warmth of 
the waters to the southward, in which the inhabitants. 
are accustomed to wade a great deal. The disease is 
sometimes seen in Pennsylvania. Besides the Andro- 
meda Mariana, or Broad leaved Moor-wort, a decoction 
of the leaves of the Kalmia latifolia is used for the cure 
of this complaint. The decoction of the leaves of both 
these plants is used. They are both called ‘* Wicke”’ 
to the southward. 


Page 20. “I KNEW a woman,” &c. She was a stout, 
and seemingly very healthy, woman. She informed me, 
that a lady of her acquaintance was affected in the same 
way by this tea. I could not learn, whether the flowers 
of the Sassafras produced a similar effect. 


Ginsenc. Notwithstanding what I have said, in the 
note, I must not conceal, that the Indians, in some parts 


( 8. 
of North-America, are said to use the Ginseng, ‘“ on 
religious occasions*.” 


Page 21. Arum triphyllum. In its recent state, the 
root of this species of Arum is extremely acrid. By dry- 
ing, we deprive it of much of its active quality. In this 
latter state, the root is frequently prescribed in catarrhal 
affections, of long standing; and (if I do not mistake) in 
asthma. The recent root boiled in lard, to the consist- 
ence of an ointment, has often been found useful in cases 
of tinea capitis, and in other similar affections. 


Page 23. Tuer Ranunculus bulbosus. Every part 
of this species of Ranunculus is endued with an acrid 
quality. But it is especially the bulbous-like root which 
has frequently been used as a substitute for cantharides. 
Where the foreign and native species of blistering-flies 
cannot readily be procured, this Ranunculus ought not 
to be neglected. 1 have employed it, and am disposed 
to think, that it gives a more durable irritation to the 
part to which it is applied, than the animal blisters 
which I have mentioned. If this suspicion be well found- 
ed, it will not be denied, that there are cases in which 
the Ranunculus ought even to be preferred to those 
blisters. Among other such cases, I may mention ver- 
tigo, and affections of the stomach, both originating in 
a misplaced or irregular gout. I must not omit to add, 
that the roots of the Ranunculus, that are collected in 
the fall, may be very well preserved through the winter, _ 
by burying them in some fine, siliceous sand. When 
thus preserved, they retain, with very little diminution, 
their active irritating quality. 


Ruvus, or Sumac. “ In many persons” the Rhus 


* On the authority of Adair. 


( # ) 
rvadicans, Rhus Vernix, and Rhus Toxicodendron, ‘‘ in- 
“duce a peculiar and very troublesome vesication, 
‘¢ which I have frequently removed, in a short time, by 
‘¢ means of a mercurial wash.” I have employed, in 
these cases, an aqueous solution of the muriate of mer- 
cury, or corrosive-sublimate. Nothing that I have 
made use of has so effectually removed the disagreeable 
symptoms as this lotion. Its good effects are very spee- 
dily perceived. Many other applications are made use 
of, in various parts of the United-States. The principal 
of them are prepared from vegetables. That some of 
these do good, I shall not deny: but, compared to the 
preparation of mercury, which I have mentioned, they 
are very inert applications. Of the vegetables, I think 
I have employed none with such decided advantage as _ 
the juice (mixed with cream) of a native species of Urti- 
ca, or Nettle; perhaps the Urtica pumila of Linneus.— 
“¢ Tt is said that the bark of one species (but I cannot tell 
** you what species) has been found useful in intermit- 
*< tents.” Perhaps, it is the bark of the Rhus glabrum, or 
Smooth Pennsylvania Sumac. The juice of the Upland- 
Sumac (Rhus glabrum) is said to be excellent for re- 
moving warts, and also tetters. It is applied to the af- 
fected parts. This shows, that even this species, which 
is generally deemed innocent, possesses some active qua- 
lity. Indeed, I am inclined to think, that all the Ameri- 
can species of the genus Rhus are poisons to some consti- 
tutions. Iam assured, that the Rhus typhinum, or Stags- 
horn-Sumac, has affected the skins of certain persons, in 
the same manner as the Rhus radicans, &c. Yet the Rhus 
typhinum is generally considered as an innocent species. 
In some parts of the United-States, the Rhus glabrum 
is called ‘‘ Indian Salt.”’ It is said that the Indians em- 
ployed the saline powder which invests the berries, as a 


Sahit 

condiment to their animal food. They also employ this 
substance as a mordant, or fixer, for the red colour with 
which they dye the quills of the porcupine. They use 
other mordants for the same purpose.—With great 
satisfaction, I refer the medical and philosophical read- 
er of these Collections, to Dr. Thomas Horsfield’s Ex- 
perimental Dissertation on the Rhus Vernix, Rhus rad- 
cans and Rhus glabrum. This dissertation, which was 
published in Philadelphia, in 1798, reflects great honour 
upon the ingenious author, and even credit upon the 
University which gave it birth. | 


Page 26. Tue Zanthoxylum. There are, in the 
United-States, at least two distinct species of this genus, 
viz. the Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis of Linnzus, and 
the Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium of Marshall. The lat- 
ter is the species which is most common in the north- 
ern parts of the United-States, where it is known by 
the name of Prickly-Ash. The other species is more 
confined to the Southern states. This last, I doubt 
not, is the plant which Lawson alludes to, when he tells 
us, that the Indians cure the venereal disease ‘‘ by a 
‘* Berry that salivates, as mercury does.” He adds, that 
‘‘ they use sweating and decoctions very much with it; 
“as they do almost on every occasion*.” I suppose 
that this is also the plant which Lawson calls Pel- 
Ietory. “‘ It is used (he says) to cure the tooth-ach, 
“‘ by putting a piece of the bark in the mouth, which 
*‘ being very hot, draws a rheum from the mouth, and 
“causes much spittlet.’’ Both species of Zanthox- 
ylum appear to be well worthy of the attention of Ame- 


* A New Voyage to Carolina, &c. p. 218. London. 1709. 


+ The same, p. 100. 


( 55 ) 
rican physicians. Unquestionably, they are powerful 
vegetables. , 


Page 28. Euparorium perfoliatum. A watery in- 
fusion of the leaves of this very common plant isa pow- 
erful, and not disagreeable, bitter. Examined by the 
common chemical tests, it appears to contain a great 
deal of the astringent principle. I think this promises 
to be a really useful medicine in the treatment of inter-" 
mittent fevers. Some of our Northern Indians, who 
make use of it in these cases, call it by a name, which 
may be translated ‘‘ Ague-weed.” 


Page 28. Sancuinaria Canadensis. Dr. Schoepf 
makes mention both of the emetic and purgative power 
of the root of this pretty plant, which is extremely com- 
mon in almost every part of the United-States. He says, 
a weak decoction of it is used in gonorrhoea, and against 
the bites of serpents, and in bilious diseases; that the 
juice is employed against warts; and (on the authority 
of Colden), that the powder of the root (in the dose of 
one drachm) is exhibited in jaundice*. I have been in- 
formed, that in some parts of New-England, a spiri- 
-tuous tincture of the roots is frequently exhibited, as 
a tonic bitter, in different diseases. A decoction of the 
roots is greatly recommended, as an external application, 
in the management of old ulcers. In this latter case, 
it is, perhaps, more worthy of a trial than in cases of 
jaundice. , 


Page 29. Asciepras decumbens. The Asclepias 
decumbens and the Asclepias tuberosa of Linnzus ap- 
pear to me to be merely varieties of the same species. 


* Materia Medica, &c. p, 86 


¢ oe 9 

Dr. Schoepf mentions a plant which, he says, is called 
in Maryland, Butterfly-root, and Pleurisy-root. He 
says, he has not seen the plant; but observes, that the 
name Butterfly-root seems to show, that it belongs to 
the class of Diadelphia*. I am pretty certain, that this 
plant is no other than the Asclepias decumbens. It is. 
called Butterfly-weed, &c. because its flowers are visited 
by great numbers of butterflies. 


Page 30. Convotvutus panduratus. In Virginia, 
and some other parts of the United-States, the root of this 
plant has been much recommended in cases of gravel. 
It is used either in powder or in decoction. Is it con- 
stantly or considerably diuretic? 


Page 32. ‘‘ A specizs of Croton, or perhaps of 
“ Stillingia,” &c. This is one of the several medicines 
(and some of them are possessed of active qualities) 
which are employed by the Indians of Carolina, Geor- 
gia, and other southern parts of the United-States, as 
remedies for the cure of the venereal disease. It enter- 
ed into the composition of a medicine, which was much 
employed by a Dr. Howard (of North-Carolina), as a 
cure for the yaws. This medicine contained, besides 
the supposed Croton, the vines, or climbing stems, of 
the Bignonia crucigera.—lIt is not the Northern In- 
dians only who make use of the Lobelia siphilitica in 
the treatment of the venereal disease. This is also one 
of the articles in the materia medica siphilitica of the 
Cheerake, and other southern tribes. 


Page 34. Potycaxa Senega. Since the beginning 
of the year 1798, IL have employed a strong decoction 


* Materia Medica, &c. p. 160: 


4 


Ce 2 

of this plant im several cases of cynanche trachealis, or 
hives. I am persuaded, that the Seneca is a very impor- 
tant medicine in the treatment of this common, and too 
frequently unmanageable, disease; and praise, in my opi- 
nion, is due to Dr Archer for his important discovery; 
for such I cannot but deem it. That the Seneca isa 
specific, or certain remedy, for the cure of the croup, 
I do not believe: but, from my own experience, I am 
led to repose more confidence in the use of this medi- 
cine than in any other. I have made use of a very strong 
or saturated decoction of the root. I have always given 
it in large quantities. It appears to be chiefly beneficial, 
when it occasions an expectoration of mucus, and when 
it proves emetic. It is also very useful by virtue of ite 
purgative quality. But I have known it to occasion very 
plentiful stools, without benefiting the patient. Indeed, 
in the exhibition of the Seneca, I would rather wish to 
guard against large purging. I have sometimes treated 
my patients a/most entirely with the Seneca. Even in 
such cases, I have perceived most unequivocal good 
effects from it. But I have, more generally, given, along 
with the Seneca, calomel, and sometimes calomel com- 
bined with ipecacuanha. I have not omitted the employ- 
ment of the lancet (though this, in many cases of croup, 
is not absolutely necessary), and the use of blisters, or 
sinapisms, applied near to the seat of the disease. I am 
happy to close this short notice by observing, that seve- 
ral respectable physicians in Philadelphia inform me, 
that they have used the Seneca, with much advantage, 
in the disease in question.—For the particular man- 
ner in which Dr. Archer uses this medicine, I must re- 
fer the reader to his letter addressed to me, and publish- 
ed in the Medical Repository of New-York*. 


* Vol. II. No. 1. Art. vii 


it 


¢ ) 


I nave had no experience with the Seneca in cases 
of pneumonia. Notwithstanding what has been so fre- 
quently said concerning its great efficacy in this disease, 
I confess that I cannot believe, that it is a medicine adap- 
ted to the very first stage of pneumonia, while violent 

_ inflammatory symptoms are still present. After the li- 
beral use of the lancet, it is highly probable, that the 
Seneca will be found a very important medicine. In 

_the pleurisy, as it is called, which prevails in many of 
the low and marshy countries of the United-States, I do 
not doubt, that it has been of real use. This pleurisy, or 
pheumonia, is a true intermittent or remittent, attended 
with a local pain, either in the side or in the head. When 
the pain is principally confined to the head, the disease 
is called (a ridiculous name) ‘‘ the pleurisy in the head.” 
tn either case, it is a complaint in which stimulating 
medicines (and such the Seneca is) have been exhibited 
with advantage. In cases of this kind, though bleeding 
is often necessary, it will not be sufficient to effect a 
cure. Even blisters fail to destroy the type of the dis- 
case. In my own hands, the Peruvian bark has been 
exhibited, during the remission of pain, with the hap- 
piest effect in preventing the recurrence of the violent 
paroxysm, 


Page 37. Lopezra inflata. This is a very com- 
mon plant in many parts of the United-States. Its sensi- 
ble qualities are much in favour of its medical powers. 
The leaves have a very acrid and pungent taste. An 
infusion of them, in boiling water, when suffered to 
stand for some time, is at first insipid to the taste; but 
it soon excites a very perceptible, and even considera- 
ble, sense of pungency upon the tongue, &c. which con- 
‘inues a good while. The taste is very similar to that of 


ee.) 
tabacco. This species of Lobelia, in all probability, will 
be found a diuretic. 


Tue Cassena. This is also called Cusseena, and 
Yaupon, or Yopon. A very favourite inquiry, in which 
I have been engaged for several years, and in which T 
am still engaged, naturally leads me to mention, in this 
place, a very remarkable tradition which some of our 
Indian tribes preserve concerning this species of Holly. 
*“* The Savages of Carolina (says Mr. Lawson, who is 
an author of much credit) “ have this tea in veneration, 
above all the plants they are acquainted withal, and 
tell you, the discovery thereof was by an infirm Jndi- 
an, that laboured under the burden of many rugged 
distempers, and could not be cured by all their Doc- 
tors; so, one day, he fell asleep, and dreamt, that if 
he took a decoction of the tree that grew at his 
head, he would certainly be cured; upon which he 
awoke, and saw the Yaupon or Cassena-Tree, which 
was not there when he fell asleep. He followed the 
direction of his dream, and became perfectly well in 
a short time. Now, I suppose (continues our author), 
no man has so little sense as to believe this Fable; yet 
** it lets us see what they intend thereby, and that it has, 
doubtless, worked feats enough, to gain it such an 
esteem amongst these Savages, who are too well vers- 
ed in vegetables, to be brought to a continual use of 
any one of them, upon a mere conceit or fancy, with- 
out some apparent benefit they found thereby; espe- 
** cially, when we are sensible, they drink the juices of 
‘* plants, to free nature of her burdens, and not out of 
‘* foppery and fashion, as other nations are oftentimes 
‘found to do*.”—I do not, indeed, imagine, that 


* A New Voyage to Carolina, &c. p. 221, 222 


am 


CaP 9 

the Indians came to the first knowledge of the Cassena 
in the manner their tradition informs us. But, if I do 
not greatly mistake, a very interesting use may be 
made of this tradition: one which Mr. Lawson, in all 
probability little thought of. The Chinese preserve a 
tradition concerning Darma, the son of a King of the 
Indias, who was driven into China in the year 519, of 
the Christian era. Darma gave himself up entirely to re- 
ligion, passing his days and nights, without sleep. At 
length, he fell asleep. To atone for this crime, the good 
man abscinded his genitals, the eye-lids of his eyes, and 
then enraged threw himself upon the earth, from which 
little shrubs now sprang up. These were the Tea, which 
has since spread its influence over more than half the 
globe. Darma now began to use the leaves of the new 
shrub, upon which his mind was affected with great joy, 
and he was restored to perfect health. He even ceased 
to be emasculate. These wonderful properties of the 
tea were made known by Darma to his disciples, upon 
which the leaves of the plant were received into uni- 
versal use. Keempfer, from whose Amenitates this story 
is taken, has given usa picture of Darma; but I pre- 
sume the likeness could not be warranted*. 


Between, the tradition of the Chinese concerning 
the first use of their beloved tea, and the tradition of 
the Americans concerning the first use of the Cassena, 
there is such a remarkable coincidence, that we cannot 
well hesitate to believe, that the two stories are actu- 
ally branches of a common stock. This will appear the 
more probable, when it is considered, that many of the 


* Ihave not, at present, an opportunity of consulting Kempfer’s work. I 
take the story from this celebrated naturalist, through the medium of Dr. 
Murray’s Apparatus Medicaminum, &c. Vol. IV. p. 246, 247. 


Ci Se ) 

American tribes are very closely allied to the;@hinese, 
Tartars, and Japanese, not only by their physical ap- 
pearances, but also by their languages, their customs, 
&c*. Perhaps, the Indian tradition concerning the Cas- 
sena may even lead us to conjecture, at what time some 
of the Carolina and other savage tribes separated from 
their parental stocks, in Asia. It is possible that the 
word Yaupon is preserved by the Americans, in memo- 
ry of the islands of Japan, from which some of them are 
descended. 


Pages 38, 39. Sprcex1a Marilandica. In some parts 
of Carolina, &c. this invaluable plant is known (among 
other appellations) by the name of Snake-root. It is the 
Unsteetla of the Cheerake-Indians. Every part of the 
plant is possessed of the anthelmintic property, and ac- 
cordingly in Carolina the physicians employ the whole 
plant; chiefly in decoctiont. But the active power un- 
questionably resides more especially in the roots. It is 
the opinion of many persons, that the deleterious effects 
which occasionally occur from using this vegetable do 
not arise from any pernicious property inherent in the 
Spigelia, but from the root of a distinct plant which 
is often mixed with the Spigelia. I do not think this 
notion is entitled to any serious attention. The Spigelia 
is, without doubt, a poisonous and narcotic vegetable. 
It is, in all probability, by virtue of this poisonous qua- 
lity, that it proves so beneficial in cases of worms. I 
am acquainted with a very intelligent physician, who 


* New Views of the Origin of the Tribes and Nations of America. Appen- 
dix. p. 30, 31, 32. Philadelphia: 1798. 


{ Both Lining and Garden were generally in the habit of using the Spige- 
lia in substance; and this is, unquestionably, the most precise method of em- 
ploying it. In Philadelphia, an infusion or decoction of the plant is more 
commonly made use of. 


(aa) 


in the exhibition of the Spigelia always deems it neces- 
sary, or proper, to persevere in the use of the medicine, 
until it produces some very decided effect upon the 
brain. I must confess, however, that I have often found 
it completely efficacious without observing, that it has 
occasioned the least inconvenience to the system. That 
it has sometimes done mischief, will not, I believe, be 
denied. Professor Bergius informs us, that he has known 
instances of convulsions cured by the Spigelia, although 
no worms were expelled by it*. Dr. Garden, speaking 
of this plant, says, ‘‘ It especially answers in continued 
‘* or remitting low worm-fevers, in which I use its de- 
coction, adding a small proportion of the root of the 
‘ serpentaria Virgin. Its effects in abating the feverish 
“* exacerbations are so considerable, that in these I con- 
‘* sider it as the most powerful sedative. It is an ex- 
‘* cellent attenuant{.”? I have been induced to take no- 
tice, in this place, of the observations of Bergius and 
Garden, because a pretty extensive use of the Spigelia, 
has now convinced me, that this medicine very often 
affords relief, and indeed effects a cure, in cases in which 
worms are supposed to be present, but in which none 


* Materia Medica e Regno Vegetabili, &c. 


{ That the Spigelia is a sedative, taking this term in the sense in which 
it generally is, and always ought to be, employed, I do not believe, notwith- 
standing the very respectable authority of Dr. Garden, and the high au- 
thority of Dr. Darwin. This last mentioned author aranges our celebra- 
ted anthelmintic in his class or article of Torpentia. (See Zoonomia). With 
much more propriety, he might have arranged it in his second article, to 
which he has given the name of Jncitantia. In fact, the effects which the 
“pigelia exerts upon the human system are very similar to those which Da- 
iura and other similar articles (confessedly stimulants) are known to exert. 
Tn particular, the operation of the Spigelia upon the brain, very decidedly, 
}emonstrates its stimulant power. 


= 


ssays and Observations, Phygical and Literary. Vol. IL. Art. x. p. 149. 


( oe ) 
are discharged. If I do not greatly mistake, this will be 
found a highly useful medicine in some of the febrile 
diseases of children, unaccompanied by worms, espe- 
cially in the insidious remittent, which so frequently 
lays the foundation of dropsy of the brain. 


Page 39. Tur Chenopodium anthelminticum. This 
vegetable is also called Jerusalem-oak. ‘The whole plant 
may be employed. Sometimes, the expressed juice is 
used, in the dose of a table-spoon full for a child, two 
or three years old. More commonly, however, the seeds, . 
are employed. They are reduced to a fine powder, and 
made into an electuary with some syrup. Of this the 
dose for a child, two or three years old, is a table-spoon 
full, taken early in the morning. The patient is to be 
kept without nourishment for some hours after. After 
supper, a like dose is administered. It is often necessary 
to continue this course for several days. Great numbers 
of lumbrici are frequently discharged after the use of a 
few doses of the medicine. 


Page 40. Common Tobacco. There is a peculiar 
mode of employing the leaves of the Tobacco in cases 
of worms, which I cannot avoid mentioning in this place, 

_especially as it has, in many instances, produced very 
happy effects. The leaves are pounded with vinegar, 
and applied, in the shape of a poultice, tothe region of 
the stomach, or other part of the abdomen. In conse- 
quence of this application, worms are often discharged, 
after powerful anthelmintics have been exhibited inter- 
nally in vain. We ought not to be surprised at this effect 
of the Tobacco, since we know, that the same vegetable 
applied externally is often very efficacious in inducing 
vomiting. Accordingly, I have, for some vears been in 


(: 64.9 mee 


the habit of applying Tobacco-leaves to the region of the 
stomach of persons who have swallowed large quantities 
of opium, and other similar articles, with the view to 
destroy themselves. It is well known, that in these cases 
the stomach is often extremely inirritable, insomuch that 
the most powerful emetics have little effect in rousing 
that organ into action. Here, as an auxiliary at least, 
the Tobacco, used in the manner I have mentioned, is, 
certainly, very useful, and in many instances, ought not 
to be neglected. 


Page 41. Mrzra Azedarach. When I published the 
first edition of my Collections, I had not any experience 
in the use of this vegetable. Since that period, however, 
I have used it in several cases of worms, and always with 
advantage. Indeed, I am inclined to think, that the cha- 
racter of this new anthelmintic has not been too highly 
drawn. I will not assert, that it ought to be preferred 
to the Spigelia: for I have had much more to do with 
this, than with the Melia. The Melia is, unquestionably, 
a valuable anthelmintic, and ought to be introduced 
into general practice. I have employed the bark of the 
root, both in substance, and in the shape of a saturated 
decoction. In the case of an adult, who took the decoc- 
tion in large quantities, with the effect of discharging 
great numbers of worms, it seemed to occasion some 
confusion of head, and trembling of the hands. These, 
perhaps, were accidental symptoms: but I am disposed, 
with the patient, to ascribe them to the medicine. The 
worm-cases in which I have found the Melia useful 
were cases of the common round-worm, or Ascaris 
lumbricoides. I have not had any opportunity of trying 
how far it isa remedy against the tenia, or tape-worm. 
But Iam informed:that, in Carolina, it has been used 


ec lee 


with the effect of discharging great numbers of this spe- 
- cies of worm. Should this prove to be the case, the — 
Melia will be doubly entitled to our attention as an 
article of the materia medica.—It is not merely in cases 
of worms, that this vegetable has been found useful. 
Mr. Andrew Michaux, an industrious French botanist, 
informed me, that in Persia, where this tree grows spon- 
taneously, the pulp which invests the stone of the fruit 
is pounded with tallow, and used as an ‘ antisphoric,”’ 
i cases of tinea capitis in children. 


Is the Melia a narcotic or poisonous vegetable? Its 
remarkable effects in destroying and dislodging worms 
renders this probable, but not certain: for many articles 
which, with respect to the human body, are entirely in- 
nocent, are-known to be noxious to intestinal worms, 
and many other animals. Such is sugar, as has been 
demonstrated by the experiments of Redi, Carminati, 
and other writers. The case which I have alluded to 
renders the deleterious quality of this vegetable very 
probable. I may add, that in some parts of Carolina, 
the root is deemed poisonous. Horses and horned 
cattle, however, eat, with impunity, the leaves and 
berries. Certain species of birds (particularly the Tur- 
dus migratorius, or Robin, and the Turdus Polyglot- 
tos, or Mocking-bird), devour the berries in such large 
quantities, that after eating of them, they are observed 
to fall down, and are readily taken. Does not this cir- 
cumstance render it probable, that the berries contain 
an intoxicating quality? This, however, I believe, is not 
the general opinion of the inhabitants of Carolina, who 
ascribe the condition of the birds merely to the circum. 
stance of their having eaten so abundantly of the ber- 
ries, that they injure entirely by distention. The ripe 


berries have a sweetish, but nauscous taste. 
K , 


Cee 2 

As the Melia is now completely naturalized to the 
states of Carolina and Georgia, it may not be amiss to 
close this article by observing, that the fruit of this ve- 
getable is employed in Japan for furnishing an express- 
ed oil, which grows hard like tallow, and is used for 
making candles*. May not our fellow-citizens, to the 
south, render it worth their attention to follow the ex- 
ample of the Japanese, in the instance I have mentioned? 


Ir remains for me to say a few words concerning 
two other native American plants, both reputed anthel- 
mintics, which are not mentioned in the preceding Dis- 
course. These are the Galega Virginiana, and the Cle- 
ome dodecandra? 


Tur Galega Virginiana, or Virginia-Goats-rue, is 
one of the most beautiful of the known North-American 
plants of the class of Diadelphia. It is very common in 
many parts of Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, &c.. In Jer- 
sey, it is called Cat-gut, from the resemblance of some 
of its roots to the article of this name. A decoction of 
the roots is reputed a powerful anthelmintic. I have never 
used it. It may be observed, in this place, that, notwith- 
standing the general character of the class of Diadel- 
phia, there are in this class some very active and even 
deleterious vegetables. It is somewhat in favour of the 
anthelmintic power of the Galega Virginiana, that some 
West-India species of the same genusare said to intoxi- 
cate and poison fish. 


Tue Cleome dodecandra? or perhaps Cleome vis- 
cosa, is a native of Pennsylvania, New-York, &c. It 


* See Professor Thunberg’s Travels in Europe, Africa, and Asia, &e. &c, 
Vo}. IIE. p. 228. English translation. London: 17953. 


Ca) 
grows, in great abundance, in the neighbourhood of 
Albany. The whole plant has an extremely fetid smell. 
In some parts of the United-States, the root is employ- 
as a remedy against worms. How far it is really useful 
with this intention, or by what power it acts, in destroy- 
ing the worms, I do not know. I donot mention the an- 


thelmintic virtue of the Cleome, merely on the authority 
of Dr. Schoep{*. 


* See his Materia Medica, &c. p. 106. 


THE END. 


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MATERIA MEDICA. 


PART SECOND. 


hanc etiam, M&cENAs, aspice partem. 


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TO 
JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM. M. D. 


FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, &c. &c. 
DEAR SIR, 


YOU have been pleased to express yourself favour- 
ably respecting the First Part of this little work. But 
it was not this circumstance that has led me to inscribe 
this Second Part to you. My inducements to do this, 
are of a higher and a different kind. 


Your attentions to me, during my residence in Lon- 
don, in the year 1787, were those of a kind and affec- 
tionate friend, and cannot readily be forgotten. Nor 
have you withdrawn your attentions, notwithstanding 
the distance by which we are separated from each other. 


Some public tribute of respect is due from Ameri- 
cans to one who has so long, and on so many occasions, 
manifested his attachment to the United-States. The 
tribute which I now pay, is, indeed, a very feeble one: 
but it is paid in the warmth of feeling friendship. 


A LARGE portion of respect is due from the world 
to those, who devote their fortune and their time to the 
promotion of science, and the extension of the godlike 
empire of benevolence. Your enemies will not deny 


(ew 3 
your merits in these respects. Your friends are incapable 


of disguising or withholding their sentiments, on the 
subject. 


ATTACHED, as you are, to every branch of medical 
science; sensible, as you must be, of the imperfections 
of medicine, and ardently anxious for its further im- 
provement, I will flatter myself, that you will peruse, 
with some satisfaction, these imperfect Collections, a 
mass of mere misshapen materials, out of which, at some 
future period, a part of a more regular AMERICAN 
Marerta Mepica may be constructed. Whether I 
shall live to take any part in the building, is extremely 
doubtful. The edifice is one, however, to which I look 
forward with an ardent zeal. A belief that I may possibly 
behold it, will serve to stimulate me to new and other 
labours, in this walk of medical science. 


Wir the most sincere wishes for your health and 
happiness, and for the continuance of your useful la. 
bours and exertions, I remain, 


My dear Sir, 
Your obedient and 
Obliged friend, 
BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON. 


Philadelphia, February 10th, 1804. 


PREFACE. 


| 


] EXPERIENCE some degree of pleasure in being 
able to fulfil one of my literary promises. I present to 
the public, a Seconp Parr of my Collections for an 
Lssay towards a Materia Medica of the United- States. 
I am not very anxious about the fate of the work, and 
therefore, I shall not offer any formal apology for its 
imperfections. These will be readily perceived by the 
reader of any experience. 


Imperrecrt, however, as is this Second Part, I hope 
the student of medicine and the young practitioner, for 
whom principally it is intended, will find it not less in- 
teresting than the preceding part. It contains additions 
to many of the articles which are mentioned in the for- 
mer portion of the work, besides facts and observations 
concerning other articles, which are either entirely un- 
noticed, or merely named, there. Some of the newly- 
named articles“have never before been noticed in any 
work relative to the Materia Medica: such are Myrica‘ 
cerifera, Prinos verticillatus, Hydrastis Canadensis, Fra- 
sera Walteri, &c. How far these are worthy of the at- 
tention of physicians, must be left to others to deter- 
mine. 


(iva ) 

To render the work somewhat more useful, I have 
interspersed it with occasional practical remarks. Some 
of these remarks, I am very ready to allow, are not ne- 
cessarily introduced into the work. Such are those re- 
specting Arsenic, and Digitalis. But it will be recol- 
lected, that I am not in pursuit of any thing like a me- 
thodical or regularly-digested work: and if any value 
be attached to the remarks, I shall cheerfully submit to 
be censured for my want of order and arrangement, in 
the management of my subject. 


Tue principal, and indeed only, object which I had 
in view in composing the First Part of this little work, 
has been, in some measure, accomplished. I wisHEB 
tO TURN THE ATTENTION OF OUR PHYSICIANS TO 
AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF THEIR 
NATIVE PRODUCTIONS. Already have I had the satis- 
faction to perceive the useful tendency of my labours. 
Several of the vegetables which I had mentioned, in the 
Collections, have been examined with care and ability, 
by graduates in the University of Pennsylvania, who 
have thus put us in possession of a large body of useful 
information concerning those vegetables. It is unneces- 
sary to mention, in this place, the titles of the disser- 
tations to which I allude. Most of them are referred to 
in the present publication. Some of these dissertations 
reflect honour upon their authors; and must evince to 
the worid, that an important branch of natural history 
and of medicine is making rapid advances among us. 
Tt is not one of the least pleasurable circumstances of 
my life, that [ have been, in some degree, instrumental 
in directing the medical students of the United-States, 
to a few of those objects, which have since solicited 
their attention. 


{ vu) 

In the present portion of the Collections, I have called 
the attention of the student to other objects of the Ame- 
rican vegetable kingdom, concerning which [ am anxi- 
ous to receive more extensive and more correct infor- 
mation. My various pursuits do not permit me to enter 
minutely into an investigation of the properties of the 
articles which I mention. Indeed, I wish it to be under- 
stood, that some of these articles have never been em- 
ployed by myself in practice; and, consequently, that 
my information concerning them has been derived from 
the experience of other persons. It is obvious, there- 
fore, that I cannot always vouch for the truth or accuracy 
of the observations, which I detail, concerning the pro- 
perties and effects of our vegetables. But neither could 
I have vouched for their truth and accuracy, even 
though I had related them from my own experience. 
For where is the candid physician who will not confess, 
that he often errs? Where is the physician who will not 
acknowledge, that in the course of his practice, he has 
often ascribed effects to medicines, which those medi- 
cines did not produce? ExrraorDINARY (PROVIDED 
THEY BE SOLITARY OR RARELY OBSERVED) EFFECTS 
OF MEDICINES, IN THE CURE OF DISEASES, SHOULD 
BE RECEIVED BY THE PHYSICIAN, WITH NEARLY 
THE SAME HESITATION WITH WHICH THE PHILOSO- 
PHIC NATURALIST OR HISTORIAN, RECEIVES MIRA- 
CLES INTO HIS COLLECTION OF WELL-ASCERTAIN- 
ED FACTS. 


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( ix ) 

THE following observations form a part of one of my 

Introductory Lectures. I have thought that they 

might, with some propriety, be introduced in this 
place. 


“‘Tr is a trite observation, that every country pos- 
sesses remedies that are suited to the cure of its pecu- 
liar diseases. The greater number of those who have 
adopted this opinion, have imagined, that the principal 
portion of indigenous remedies is to be found among the 
vegetables of the countries in which the diseases pre- 
vail. 


“‘ Tuts observation, in a limited degree; is undoubt- 
edly well founded. But the universality of the position 
may, I think, be called in question. Man is subject to 
many diseases, both of body and of intellect, for the cure 
of which it would seem to be a part of the scheme of Pro- 
vidence, that he never shall discover remedies. More- 
over, man is capable of subsisting, and actually does 
subsist, in certain portions of the earth, in which hardly 
a vegetable is seen, or can be made, to grow. Yet, in 
these situations man is not exempted from diseases: for 
diseases appear to be as necessarily a part of his essence 
or nature as the organs and the functions of his body. 


“¢ Bur although we are not authorized, from an ex- 
tensive examination of the subject, to conclude, that 
every country possesses native remedies, that are the 
best adapted for the cure of its peculiar diseases, still it 
must be admitted, that the observation is, in part, well 
founded. It was remarked by a writer*, who was more 
distinguished for the vivacity of his wit than for the so- 


* Monsieur De Voltaire 


Part N R 


(a 

lidity of his judgment, that the intermittent fever pre- 
vail-d in Furope, but that the Peruvian bark was found 
in South-America. This observation was intended as 
an ¢xcepon to the general rule which I have mention- 
ed. Perhaps, it was intended to arraign the benevolent 
order of Providence. But the observation can have no 
weight with physicians who know, that the intermittent 
fever is the disease of almost every climate, and that the 
Peruvian bark is not the only remedy that is capable of 
subduing this disease. 


“‘ WituHouT any regard, however, to the rule that, 
in general, the remedies for diseases exist in the native 
countries of such diseases, it may safely be conjectured, 
judging irom the discoveries which have already been 
made, in the term of three hundred years, that there are 
no countries of the world from which there is reason to 
expect greater or more valuable accessions to the Materia 
Medica, than the countries of America. The different 
species of Cinchona, or Peruvian bark, the Quassia, the 
Simarouba, the Guaiacum, the different kinds of Jalap 
and of Ipecacuanha, the Polygala Senega, the two spe- 
cies of Spigelia, not to mention many other valuable 

xedicines, are ail natives of America; and most of them 
have not, hitherto, been found in any other portion of 
the world. 


“‘ Ir has often been said, that the Materia Medica is 
already crowded wiih a great number of inert, useless, 
or pernicious medicines. This I think is strictly true; 
and it is certainly, high time to banish from the shops 
many of the medicines, or articles, which they contain. 
This firilness of the Materia Medica ought not, however, 
to make usrelax in our inquiries into the properties of the 


( xi ) 

vegetables of our own and of other countries. No can- 
- did physician will deny, that he often meets with cases 
in which the choice of active medicines is a matter of 
consequence. So various are the constitutions oi our pa- 
tients; so infinitely various are the forms under which 
diseases present themselves, that it becomes absoiuiely 
necessary to know, and to possess, a great number of 
different medicines, even of those which are endowed 
with a common assemblage of properties. 


“TI am not ignorant, that there are some persons, who 
consider the science of medicine as a science of extreme 
simplicity; who believe, or affect to believe, that in the 
treatment of diseases, we have arrived at something lixe 
the u/tamatum of perfection. We are already, say these 
persons, in possession of all the means that are necessary 
for the alleviation, or for the cure, of our diseases. It is 
needless, then, to ransack nature any further. 


‘“¢ In opposition to such an opinion as this, it will be 
sufficient to hint at the recent date of the introduction 
of some of the most important articles of medicine into 
the Materia Medica; or at the recent date of our acquaint- 
ance with the new properties and powers of those which 
have long been known. The properties of Mercury 
could hardly be said to be known until the general 
spread of the venereal disease through Europe, towards 
the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centu- 
turies. Nay not more than haif the invaiuable powers of 
this herculean medicine were discovered betore the mid- 
dle of the last century; and I cannot hesitate to believe, 
that many of its properties are still unknown. The Pe- 
ruvian bark, the Ipecacuanha, the Jaiap, the Tobacco, 
the Guaiacum, and many others, were not even named 


(. sae | 

to the physicians of the cld-world, until several years 
after the discovery of America, in 1492. Some of the 
most valuable properties of Opium, such as its use in 
the treatment of low nervous fevers, were not detected 
before the middle of the eighteenth century; and of the 
Digitalis, one of the most common plants of some of 
the most cultivated countries of Europe, little except 
the fact of its being an extremely deleterious plant, was 
ascertained previously to the excellent publication of 
Dr. Withering. These facts, certainly, show us, that 
we have no reason for believing, that the list of impor- 
tant articles of the Materia Medica is completed; or 
that we are fully acquainted with all the properties of 
those which have been known for hundreds of years. 
On the contrary, they render it highly probable, that 
hitherto, we have discovered but a very small part of 
those vegetable and other remedies, which Providence, 
in the fullness of his benevolence, has scattered over the 
earth. 


‘“‘ In conducting our inquiries into the properties of 
the medicinal vegetables of our country, much useful 
information may, I am persuaded, be obtained through 
the medium of our intercourse with the Indians. Let 
not this observation induce any of you to suppose, that 
I am of opinion, with many travellers, and with some 
writers on the Materia Medica, that the savages of 
North-America are in possession of absolute specifics 
for all, or for any, of their diseases. J am too much of a 
skeptic in matters that regard the science of medicine to 
admit of the existence of any medicines that are strictly 
entitled to the name of specifics; and my inquiries con- 
cerning the diseases and remedies of our Indians have 
convinced me, that among these people the art of med:- 
cine is truly in a shapeless and an embryo state. 


( xm ) 

*« Tr is, nevertheless, certain that some of the rudest 
tribes of our continent are acquainted with the general 
medical properties of many of their vegetables. Like 
the rest of mankind, they are subject to diseases; and. 
like all nations in the savage forms of society, many of 
their diseases are violent. Nor, notwithstanding what 
has been repeatedly asserted to the contrary, are the dis- 
eases of those North-American tribes with whom we 
are the best acquainted either simple or few. The dis- 
eases of our Indians, even of those tribes who have been 
the least influenced, or corrupted, by their intercourse 
with more civilized nations, are numerous, and often 
present themselves in the mixed or complicated forms 
which have been supposed to be, in a great measure, 
confined to nations in the more improved and luxurious 
stages of society. It is, I believe, a truth, that the med- 
icines of savage and other uncultivated nations are, in 
general, medicines of an active kind. Thus, if we ex- 
cept that farrago of articles which are employed by our 
Indians as supposed remedies against the bites of vene- 
mous serpents*, we shall find that the Materia Medica 
of these people contains but few substances as inert as 
many of those which have a place in our books on this 
science, and on other parts of medicine. The astringents 
and tonics, which they employ in the treatment of in- 
termittent fevers, are the barks of some species of Cor- 
nus, or Dogwood, such as Cornus florida and Cornus 
sericea, both of which are found to possess properties 
very nearly allied to those of the Cinchona, or Peruvian 
bark: their purgatives are different species of Iris, or 
Flag, the root of the Podophyllum peltatum, or May- 
apple; the bark of the Juglans cinerea, or Butter-nut, 


* See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. iii. No. xic 


( xiv 4 
and some others: their emetics are the Spirza trifoliata, 
or Indian Physic; the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, Sulphat 
of Iron, or Copperas, and many others: their sudorifics 
are the active Polygala Senega, or Seneca snake-root, 
the Aristolochia Serpentaria, or Virginia snake-root, the 
Eupatorium perfoliatum, or Thorough-wort, the Lobe- 
lia siphilitica, &c: their anthelmintics are the the Spige- 
lia Marilandica, or Carolina Pink-root, the Lobelia Car- 
dinalis, or Cardinal-Flower, &c. 


‘“* From this list, which it would be an easy task to 
render more extensive and more perfect, it must be ob- 
vious, that the Indians of North-America are in posses- 
sion of a number of active and important remedies. It 
will not be denied, however, that they do not always 
apply their remedies with judgment and discernment. 
But what treasures of medicine may not be expected 
from a people, who although destitute of the lights of 
science, have discovered the properties of some of the 
most inestimable medicines with which we are acquaint- 
ed? Without mentioning the productions of South- Ame- 
rica, let it be recollected, that it is to the rude tribes of 
the United-States that we are indebted for our know- 
ledge of Polygala Senega, Aristolochia Serpentaria, and 
Spigelia Marilandica. 


“Ir is observed by De Pauw, that Botany is the 
only science that is known to savage nations*. This 
observation is more just than many others that are to 
be found in the writings of this singular author. But it 
would have been still more just, if, instead of Botany, 
the term Materia Medica had been employed. Savages, 


* Recherches Philosophiques sur les Americains, &c. Tome 1. 


( xv ) 


‘in general, know nothing of the sexual differences of 
vegetables; their classification, &c. circumstances inti- 
mately appertaining to the science of Botany*. But a 
knowledge of the obvious habit or deportment of their 
plants, and of the general properties of these plants, is, 
indeed, a very prominent feature in the description of 
many savage nations: it is, perhaps, more especially a 
prominent feature in the description of the savage na- 
tions of North-America. 


“ Bur it is only with their general properties that 
they are acquainted. For the discovery of these the un- 
cultivated reason of man, even the wild instinct of the 
animal, are often sufficient. It is the province of science; 
itis the duty of those who attach themselves, with a 
well-guided ardour, to the amiable pursuits of medical 
and natural science more especially, to investigate, with 
a laborious and accurate attention, the whole of the pro- 
perties of the various natural objects by which they are 
surrounded. The illiterate Indians of Loxa, in Peru, 
were not ignorant, that the Peruvian bark cured inter- 
mittent fevers: but it was reserved for men of science, 
aided by the ample experience of many years, to disco- 
ver the numerous other properties of this important, 
this indispensable, article of the Materia Medica.” 


* If, however, we may depend upon the observations of Dr. Forster, the 
inhabitants of Otaheite, and other islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean, 
are ‘* acquainted with the sexual system, especially in the coco-palm.” These 
people have also learned to designate by distinct and often appropriate names, 
the bracte and various other parts of the plant, in a manner so correct, that 
it must be acknowledged, that the dawn of Scientific Botany has commenced 
among them. See observations made during a Voyage round the world, &¢ 
p. 498, 499, 500. London: 1778. 4to. 


x 


. 5 
+, 
«all 


b ea9 
Peis 
batt 


Sin 
i 


COLLECTIONS, &c. 


Section I. ASTRINGENTS. 


GERANIUM maculatum*. This is, certainly a 
vegetable entitled to the attention of American physi- 
cians. In Kentucky, where it is called ‘“‘ Crow- foot,” it 
has been collected for the Tormentil} of the shops. In 
some of the north-western parts of the United-States, it 
is known by the name of Racine a Becquet, after a person 
of this name. The western Indians say it 1s the most 
effectual of all their remedies for the cure of the vene- 
real disease. I have not, however, been able to learn, in 
what form or stage of this disease they employ it. I 
doubt not it would be found very useful, exhibited in- 
ternally, in cases of old gonorrhoea. In such cases, the 
internal astringents are too much neglected. 


Aw aqueous infusion of the root forms an excellent: 
injection in gonorrhoea. In old gonorrhoea, and in 
gleets, a more saturated infusion may be employed, 
either alone, or combined with a portion of the sulphat 
of zinc, or white vitriol. 


* See Collections, &c. Part First. pages 8 & 45 
¢ Tormentilla erecta of Linnzus. 


Part. I. Cc 


Cae 
Boru the simple sulphat and the oxy-sulphat of iron 


strike a deep violet colour with the infusion of the root 
in water. 


Heucuera Americana*. This is the Heuchera 
Cortusa of Michaux}, who has unnecessarily changed 
many of the long-received names of American plants. 
This Heuchera is one of the articles in the Materia 
Medica of our Indians. ‘They apply the powdered root 
to wounds, and ulcers, and cancers. 


Or the Pyrola umbellata I have made no mention in 
the first part of this work. It is a very common North- 
American plant, and is sometimes called Ground-Holly, 
but is much better known (at least in New-Jersey and 
in Pennsylvania) by the name of P7ppsissevat, which is 
one of its Indian appellations. In the sexual system of 
Linneus, it belongs to the same class and order (De- 
candria monogynia) as the Uva Ursi. It also belongs to 
the same natural assemblage of plants as the last men- 
tioned vegetable: viz. the order Brcornes of Linnzus, 
and the order Evice of Mr. de Jussieu. The two plants 
are, unquestionably, nearly allied to each other in re- 
spect to their botanical affinity, as well as in their me- 
dical properties. 


Tue Pyrola is considerably astringent, and the quan- 
tity of astringency appears to be nearly the same in the 
leaves and in the stems. Hitherto, it has not greatly 
excited the attention of physicians. But I think it is 
worthy of their notice. A respectable physician, in East- 
Jersey, informed me, that he had employed this plant. 


* See Part, First.° Pagesg: 
} Flora Boreali-Americana, &c. Tom. * p. 171. 


+ Perhaps, Phipsesawa. 


ee) 

with manifest advantage, in the same cases in which 
Uva Ursi has been found so useful. This looks very 
probable: for it would seem, from many facts, that the 
lithontriptic powers of the Uva Ursi are, inno small de- 
gree, owing to the astringent quality of this plant: and, 
** perhaps, upon the whole (as an eminent practitioner* 
‘‘ has observed), we shall find it no better than other 
‘‘ vegetable astringents; some of which have long been 
‘‘ used by the country people, in gravelly complaints, 
** and with very great advantage: though hitherto unno- 
“* ticed by the regular practitionerst”’. 


Tue Pyrola, as I am informed by my pupil Dr. John 
S. Mitchell, has been used, with good effect, in some 
cases of intermittents. In one case, its diuretic ope- 
ration was evident. “ The urine dischared was almost 
‘“‘ black. It appeared as if a few drops of a solution of 
‘‘ the sulphat of iron had been put into an astringent 
“‘ infusiont.”” This was a solitary occurrence, and one 
which Iam unable to explain. 


For more ample information concerning this vegeta- 
ble, I beg leave to refer the reader to Dr. Mitchell’s In- 
augural Lssay on the Arbutus Uva Ursi, and the Pyrola 
umbellata and maculata of Linneus§. Prefixed to this 


* Dr. Withering. See A Systematic Arrangement of British Plants, &c, 
Vol. II. p. 391, London: 1801. 


{ I cannot forbear mentioning in this place (at the risk, perhaps, of.expos- 
ing myself to the ridicule of the mere theorist), that the nuclez, or kernels, 
of the common American Hazlenut (Corylus Americana) have been found 
very useful in affording relief to several persons labouring under nephritic, 
and perhaps calculous affections. I mention this fact on the respectable au- 
thority of my friend, Dr. Frederick Kuhn, of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania. Do 
these kernels act solely by virtue of their astringent quality? 


} Letter to me, dated Sunbury, August 8th, 1803 
§ Philadelphia: 1808 


ue 
dissertation, there is a good figure of the Pyrola um- 
bellata. 


Tue Myrica cerifera, or Candle-berry Myrtle, de- 
serves to be mentioned in this place. This isa common 
shrub in many of the maritime parts of the United-States, 
as in New-Jersey, Delaware, &c. This is, unquestiona- 
bly,a very powerful astringent, and as such has been em- 
ployed by the country-practitioners of the United-States. 
A decoction of the bark of the root is employed, some- 
times alone, and sometimes in combination with the bark 
of the root of Persimmon, or with the bark of the Black- 
Alder, which I am afterwards to mention. The simple 
or combined decoction of the Myrica has been used, 
with much advantage, in dropsical affections succeeding 
to intermittents, particularly in the peninsula of Dela- 
ware, where dropsies, in various shapes, are, perhaps, 
more common than in any other part of North-America, 
within the same latitudes. The root of the Myrica has 
likewise been found useful in the treatment of hemor- 
rhages from the uterus, &c. It was remarked by an old 
physician*, who had much experience in the use of this 
vegetable, that it often acted as a gentle purgative. 


SEVERAL varieties of the Myrica cerifera are de- 
scribed by the botanists. That of which I have been 
speaking is distinguished by the circumstance of its 
having broader leaves, and larger berries, than the others. 
It is the variety marked 6 and named media, in the Hore 
Boreali-Americana of Michauxt+. I cannot, however, 
assert, that as an astringent, this is to be preferred to 
the other varieties. 


* Dr. Matthew Wilson 


7 Lom. 11. p. 228. 


ee 50) 

Tue Myrica Gale, called Sweet- Willow, or Dutch- 
Myrtle, and also American Bog-Gale, is likewise a na- 
tive of the United-States. But this, to which useful 
qualities are ascribed, by Linnzus and other writers, 
seems less worthy of our notice than the above-men- 
tioned species. 


Tue Prinos verticillatus* of Linnzus is a very com- 
mon shrub in many parts of the United-States. It is 
especially common in the maritime parts of the union, 
at least as far south as North-Carolina; and is generally 
found to grow in the greatest perfection in swamps, or 
marshy places. It is the Prinos Gronovii of Michaux. 
To the inhabitants of New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, it 
is well known by the name of Black-Alder. If I do not 
mistake, however, the same appellation has been bestow- 
ed upon another American shrub, the Ilex? Canadensis 
of Michaux. Care must be taken to distinguish our 
Prinos from the Swamp- Alder, or Candle-Alder, which 
is the Betula serrulata of Aiton. 


Tue bark of the Prinos verticillatus is manifestly as- 
tringent. It is, likewise, considerably bitter, and along 
with these properties there is united a degree of pun- 
gency. The berries, which are of a fine red colour, 
greatly partake of the bitter quality, and if infused in 
wine or brandy, might be employed, with advantage, 
in many of those cases in which bitters, in a vinous or 
spirituous menstruum, are exhibited by physicians. 
But it is especially the bark of the shrub that seems en- 
titled to our attention. 


Tuis has long been a popular remedy in different 
parts of the United-States. But as yet, it has been 


* Marshall calls this Virginian Winter-Berry 


Ne OR 

greatly neglected by the regular physicians, only a few 
of whom (so far as I can learn) have been in the habit of 
employing it. This bark possesses the common proper- 
ties of the vegetable astringent and tonic medicines; and, 
accordingly, it has been used as a substitute for the Pe- 
ruvian bark, in intermittents, and in other diseases. It 
is employed both in substance and in decoction, most 
commonly, however, in the latter shape. It is supposed 
to be especially useful in cases of great debility unaccom- 
panied with fever; as a coroborant in anasarcous and 
other dropsies, and as a tonic in cases of incipient spha- 
celus, or gangrene. In this last case, it is, unquestion- 
ably, a medicine of great efficacy. It is both given inter- 
nally, and employed externally as a wash. On many oc- 
casions, it appears to be more useful than the Peruvian 
bark. It ought to have a place in the shops, and in the 
Pharmacopeeia of this country, WHEN SUCH A DESIDE- 
RATUM SHALL BE SUPPLIED. 


In making decoctions or infusions, for the different 
purposes which I have mentioned, the berries are often 
mixed with the bark. 


Tue Orobanche Virginiana, or Virginian Broom- 
rape, is a very common plant in many parts of North- 
America. Michaux says that it grows from Canada te 
Georgia. It is generally, if not always, found under the 
shade of the American Beach-tree (Fagus ferruginea)*. 
Hence one of its names, in Pennsylvania, viz. ‘‘ Beach- 
drops.”’ But it is much more generally known by the 
name of Cancer-rootf. 


* Michaux entirely restricts its habitation tothe root of the Beach: “ In 
radice Fagi nec alie plante.” Flora, &c. Tom. II. p. 26. 


+ See Elements of Botany, &c. Part third. p. 80 


Ce. ey 
Every part of this plant is considerably astringent. 
This astringency is evinced not only by the taste of the 
plant, but also by subjecting it to chemical examination. 
The infusion or decoction assumes an ink-like colour, 
en adding to it a solution of the sulphat of iron, or cop- 
peras. But along with the astringency, especially in the 
recent plant, there is combined a peculiar and extremely 
nauseous bitterness. Judging by the taste, we should 
not hesitate to say, that the Cancer-root is a vegetable 
endued with considerable powers. It must be confessed, 
however, that these powers are much less obvious in 
the dried than in the recent vegetable. 


Some. of the medical powers of this plant have long 
been known to the people of the United-States. It has 
been celebrated as a remedy in dysentery. There are, 
I think, cases of dysentery in which much advantage 
might be expected from the exhibition of a medicine 
possessed of the powers of the Cancer-root. But this 
vegetable has acquired its principal reputation as a re- 
medy in cancerous affections. How far it is entitled to 
any character in such affections, | am unable to say, hav- 
ing never employed it in a case of genuine cancer. But 
it is proper to mention, that the Orobanche has been 
supposed, by many persons, to have formed a part of the 
celebrated cancer-powder of Dr. Hugh Martin, whose 
success in the management of many cases of this dread- 
ful disease, has been acknowledged by the regular prac- 
titioners of Philadelphia, &c. 


As early as 1785, at which time I was a student of 
medicine, I was informed, by the people inhabiting the 
western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, that this 
Orobanche formed the principal part, if not the whole, 
of Martin’s powder. It was even said, that Martin, who 


(8) 

had passed some time at Fort-Pitt, was known to have 
collected the plant for the purpose. | believe it to be a 
fact suficiently established, that the basis (or perhaps 

rather the most active part) of Martin’s powder, was the 
_oxyd of arsenic. This has been shown by a chemical 
examination of the powder*, and by other circumstances 
nearly as decisive. Thus comatose affections (such as 
are known to be induced by arsenic) have been induced 
by the powder of Martin, even when externally applied 
in cancerous ulcers. A case of this kind came under the 
notice of a physiciant in Philadelphia. The patient 
seemed to fall a victim to the application of the medicine. 


Bur the powder of Martin did not consist entirely of 
the oxyd of arsenic. This is certain. I believe it to be 
certain also, that he combined with the arsenic, a vege- 
table matter; and from what has been said, it would seem 
not entirely improbable, that this vegetable was the Oro- 
banche Virginiana. 


Ir may be said, and it 1s not impossible, that Martin 
added the vegetable matter merely to disguise the arse- 
nic, reposing, at the same time, a//his confidence in the 
arsenic alone. I think it more probable, however, that 
the superior efhcacy of Martin’s powder, and of the pow- 
ders in the hands of other empirical practitioners, has 
been, in part, owing to the addition of something to the 
arsenic. If there be 2o foundation for this suspicion, 
how has it happened, that in the management of cancers, 
the empirical practitioners have often succeeded so much 
better with their medicines than the regular physicians 


* See Dr. Rush’s paper on the subject, in the Transactions of the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society. Vol. II. No. xxvi. 


+ Dr. Adam Kuhn, from whom I received the fact. 


a) 
have done? Both use arsenic. Some of the cancer pow- 
ders, employed by empirics, in Europe, are known to 
have been composed, in part, of arsenic and a vegetable 
matter. The celebrated powder of Plumked was made 
up of arsenic, the root of a species of Ranunculus, or 
Crow-foot, and sulphur. 


WHATEVER may have been the vegetable which 
Martin used in combination with arsenic, it is certain, 
that the powder of the Orobanche, or Cancer-root, has 
been of great service (in Philadelphia, &c.) externally 
applied to obstinate ulcers, some of which had resisted 
the applications that are commonly made use of in such 
cases. It would be well to try the effects of this vegeta- 
ble in those dreadful ulcerations (by some writers deem- 
ed cancerous), which are too frequently the consequence 
of the use of mercury, when it has been given in large 
quantity. Cases of the kind I allude to, are recorded by 
Dr. Donald Monro, Mr. Adams, in a valuable work*, 
and other writers. [ have had occasion to see some ul- 
cerations of the same kind in Philadelphia. They often 
refuse to yield to stimulating or to mild applications. 


Wir the view to encourage further inquiry into the 
nature and properties of the Orobanche Virginiana, I 
may here mention, that one of the European species of 
this genus, the Orobanche major, or Greater Broom-rape, 
isa very powerful astringent, and is said to have been 
found useful, externally applied, in cases of ulcers. This 
I mention on the respectable authority of Sir John Flo- 
yert. The activity of the European piant may even be 


* Observations on Morbid Poisons, Phagedna, and Cancer, &c. p. 65, &c. 
London: 1795. 

+ Pharmicobasanos, or The Touciistone of medicines, &¢. p. 159. Lon- 
don: 1687. 

Part I. 1) 


CS Te 
inferred from the fact mentioned by Shreber, that cattle 
do not eat it. We must pay, perhaps, no regard to cer- 
tain other powers which have been ascribed to it.‘* Dicunt 
autem facere, ut taurum vacca appetat*.”’ I have not 
been able to learn whether the Orobanche Virginiana is 
eaten by the horned cattle, or other quadrupeds. 


Section II. Tonics. 


i suaxt open this section with a few notices con- 
cerning some indigenous Bitter vegetables, which seem 
well entitled to the attention of physicians. At the same 
time, I avail myself of an opportunity of observing, that 
the tonic quality of vegetables does not so much consist 
in bitterness as some celebrated writerst have imagined. 
Tt will not be denied, that many of the bitters (even those 
which have their bitterness unmixed with astringency) 
are some of the most useful tonics with which we are 
acquainted. But, it must be allowed, that certain other 
bitter vegetables have but a feeble claim to the character 
of tonics. And it would not be a difficult task to show, 
that some of the most valuable tonics are (strictly speak- 
ing) neither bitter nor astringent. It is not easy, there- 
fore, to say, in what the tonic property of medical agents 
does especially consist. It will hardly be doubted, how- 
ever, that every tonic exerts a stimulant effect upon the 
system, though, on many occasions, it may be difficult 
or impossible to measure the intensity or degree of the 


* Alberti v. Haller Historia Stripium- Indigenarum Helvetiz inchoata. 
Tom. 1. p. 130. 

+ Dr. Cullen, particularly. See his Treatise of the Materia Medica. Vol. 
Th, p. 59; 7&cs 


Cae) 
stimulus applied, merely by an attention to the pulse. 
‘Tue PULSE IS OFTEN A VERY UNCERTAIN OR FAL- 
LACIOUS TEST OF THE OPERATION OF STIMULANT 
AGENTS. 


Tue Zanthorhiza apiifolia* of L’Heritier, or Pars- 
ley leaved Yellow-root, is a native of North and South 
Carolina, and Georgia. It is a small shrub, which flow- 
ers early in the spring. This vegetable has long been 
known; but it is only within a very few years that it has 
excited the attention of physicians. 


Tue bark of the root is intensely bitter; I think 
more so than the root of Columbo. This bitter property 
pervades the wood of the root, as well as the bark: but 
in the former it is, unquestionably, weaker than in the 
latter. The bark of the stem is also bitter, perhaps, but 
little less so than that of the root. The sensation of bit- 
terness that is left in the mouth, when the bark has been 
chewed, is very durable and adhesive. It continues, toa 
considerable degree, even after the mouth has been re- 
peatedly washed with cold water. There does not seem 
to be combined with the bitterness, any very considera- 
ble degree of a foreign acrimony. However, upon hold- 
ing the bark for some time in the mouth, it evidently 
communicates to it a sense of pungency, or acrimony. 
I think there is less of this pungency in the bark of the 
stem than in that of the root. 


Tue infusion of the bark of the root, in hot water, 
had a disagreeable and somewhat virose smell. From 
this, however, it ought not to be inferred, that the Zan- 
thorhiza is a deleterious plant. A similar smell belongs 


* Zaninorhiza simplicissima of Marshall, and Zanthorhiza tinctoria of 
Woodhouse. The specific name apiifolia should be preferred, 


( 12) 

io many other bitter vegetables, even to some of those 
which appear, from the experience of many ages, to be 
entirely innoxious. I am not ignorant, indeed, that a 
poisonous quality has been supposed to be necessarily 
attached to every bitter. I cannot help thinking, that 
this theory has been the result of a very limited view of 
the subject of bitters, and of their effects. The evil 
effects of the Portland powder, and other similar articles, 
in gouty affections, have, I am persuaded, been greatly 
exaggerated by Dr. Cullen*, and some other writers: 
and the real bad effects of these articles must, perhaps, 
be ascribed to the long-continued repetition of a stimu- 
lant powder, by which the energies of the system are 
wasted, and irregularities occasioned in the circulation 
of the blood. 


Tue Zanthorhiza, so far as we are enabled to inves- 
tigate its properties, appears to be one of the most pure 
and unmixed bitters. The addition of the sulphat of iron 
to an infusion of the bark of the root in boiling water did 
not produce the least perceptible change in the colour 
of the infusion, even when the two articles were suffered 
to stand for a considerable time, after the addition. In 
this respect, as well as in others, 1t appears to make a very 
near approach to the Columbo. But I am inclined to 
think, that the Zanthorhiza is the least pure of the twoft. 


To the saliva, the bark, when it is chewed, commu- 
nicates the most beautiful yellow colour. ‘The infusion 
in hot water is also very fine. If its colour could be 
fixed, the Zanthorhiza would be one of the most im- 
portant of all the yellow plante tinctorie with which we 
are acquainted. 


* A Treatise of the Materia Medica. Vol. II. p. 64, 65, 66. 


+See Elements of Botany, &c. Explanation of the Plates. Page 6 


ee 

Hituerto, the Zanthorhiza has been but little em» 
ployed in practice. Some experiments have, however, 
been made with it*, and these are calculated to show, 
that it may be advantageously employed, and that it 
ought to have a place in the shops. Although less pure 
than Columbo, I believe it is, in certain cases, to be pre- 
ferred to that celebrated bitter. Professor Woodhouse, 
who seems to have paid more attention to this vegetable 
than any other person, has used it with very good effect, 
in several of those cases in which the bitter medicines 
are proper. 


For a correct representation of the Zanthorhiza, see 
the Medical Repository, already referred to, and also, 
my Llements of Botany}. 


In the First Part of these Coll/ectionst, I have made 
mention of the Hydrastis Canadensis, commonly called 
‘* Yellow-root.”” This is a very common vegetable in 
various parts of the United-States; particularly in the 
rich soil adjacent to the Ohio and its branches, in the 
western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia; and in Ken- 
tucky. The root of this plant is a very powerful bitter: 
perhaps not less so than that of the Zanthorhiza. To 
the taste, however, it is unquestionably more pungent 
than the Zanthorhiza. When held between the lips, it 
even excites a very considerable sense of pungent heat. 
The dried root has a strong and virose smell, very simi- 
lar to that of the Zanthorhiza, but stronger. The infu 
sion in hot water, smells very like the infusion of Zan- 
thorhiza. The two infusions taste a good deal alike. 


* See Medical Repository. Vol. vy. No. IT. 

{ Plate XII. 

+ Page 9. See, also, Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 70. 
% ¢ : is 


(49 

Ow adding a solution of the sulphat of iron to an in- 
fusion of the root of the Hydrastis, I was not able to dis- 
cover the least indication of astringency. This further 
shows the affinity of the two plants to each other. I may 
add, that although they do not both belong to the same 
artificial subdivision in the sexual system, they are both 
near relations in a family of Nature’s making. They be- 
long to De Jussieu’s order Ranunculaceae, which may be 
considered as a pretty natural assortment of vegetables. 


Tue Hydrastis is a popular remedy in some parts of 
the United-States. A spirituous infusion of the root is 
employed, as a tonic bitter, in the Western parts of Penn- 
sylvania, &c., and there can be little doubt, that both in 
this, and in other shapes, our medicine may be used with 
much advantage. An infusion of the root, in cold water, 
is also employed as a wash, in inflammations of the eyes. 
In these cases, it is well known, that some of the bitter 
medicines, such as ox-gall, fish-gall, and others, have 
long maintained some character; and some of them, I 
believe, are entitled to the praises which have been be- 
stowed upon them. 


Tue root of the Hydrastis supplies us with one of 
the most brilliant yellow colours, with which we are ac- 
quainted. When it shall be subjected to proper experi- 
ments, I doubt not, it will be found a most valuable dye- 
plant, and well worthy of a place m the manufacturing 
houses. 


‘Tue Gentiana lutea, or common Gentian of the shops, 
3s said to be a native of the United-States*. This, per- 


* Kalm 


(8) 
haps, is doubtful. But it is certain, that several of the 
indigenous species of this genus are intense and pretty 


pure bitters, but little, if at all, inferior to the species 
just mentioned*. 


Tue Gentiana Centauriumt+, or Lesser Centory, is 
found native within the limits of the United-States. 
This, however, is not the plant which is called Cento- 
ry, or “ Centry,”’ in Philadelphia, &c., where it is so 
commonly employed both by physicians, and as a do- 
mestic remedy in almost every family. 


Tue Centory to which I allude is the Chironia an- 
gularis of Linnzus. This is a beautiful annual plant, 
and grows abundantly in many parts of the United- 
States, as in New-York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. 
Every part of the plant is intensely bitter, in which re- 
spect it differs from the Gentiana Centaurium, the bios- 
soms of which are nearly insipid. In other respects, 
it is closely allied to the Lesser Centory, the proper- 
ties of which are well known, and established by the 
experience of physicians, for many hundred years. In 
no respect, that I can perceive, is the Chironia inferior, 
as a bitter, to the Centaurium. As a much more com- 
mon plant than this latter, it may, without any injury to 
our patients, supersede its use in the practice of Amer- 
ican physicians, most of whom, if I do not mistake, 
have supposed, while they were employing the Chironia 
angularis, that they were using the Centaurium, of 
the European writers on the Materia Medica. The Chi- 


* See Collections, &c, Part First, page 15. 
Tf It is the Chironia Centaurium cof Curtis, Withering, Smith, and other 
batanists. 


+ Lewis. 


[ wD 

ronia is mentioned by Dr. Schoepf, who speaks of it as 
aromatic and bitter, and mentions the infusion as being 
useful in fevers*. Indeed, I believe that no bitter has 
been more generally prescribed in the United-States, in 
febrile and other affections, than this common Ameri- 
can plant, especially since the memorable year 1793, 
when it was much employed in certain stages of yellow- 
fever; and in which I believe it was very often used with 
much benefit. 


Tue Frasera Caroliniensis of Walter} (Frasera Wal- 
teri of Michaux) is nearly allied, in botanical habit, 
to the genus Gentiana. This plant, which is a native of 
the states of New- York, Carolina, &c., is furnished with 
a large tuberous root, of a yellow colour, which pro- 
mises to be little inferior, as a bitter, to the Gentian of 
the shops, and for which, I suspect, it has sometimes 
been mistaken. 


TI cannot conclude this part of the subject of the 
Tonics, without observing, that the countries of the 
United-States are so rich in bitter vegetables, that there 
can be no necessity for having recourse to the foreign 
articles of this class; especially when such articles are 
only to be procured at a high price: a circumstance 
which not unfrequently becomes a source of the adul-. 
teration of medicines, in this and in other countries. 


* Materia Medica Americana, &c. p. 27. Schoepf calls the plant, Wild- 
Succory. 
} Flora Caroliniana, &c. p. 87, 88. 


+ Flora Boreali-Americana, &c. Tom. i. p. 96, 97 


Ce) 
In the First Part of this work, I made some mention 
of two American species of Cornel, or Dog-wood, the 
Cornus florida and Cornus sericea*. Since the publica- 
tion of that part, these two vegetables have engaged the 
attention of an ingenious graduate in the university of 
Pennsylvania, Dr. John M. Walker, to whom we are 
indebted for much interesting information concerning 
themt. An analysis of the dissertation would not, I pre- 
sume, be uninteresting to my readers. But I cannot 
undertake the task in this place. I think it a duty, how- 
ever, to mention some of the author’s experiments and 
observations. 


Tue taste of the barks of the two Cornels, and that 
of the Peruvian bark, is nearly similar, “‘ though some- 
** what more bitter and astringent in the Corni than the 
“bark: the former when retained in the mouth some- 
“* time, only impart to the tongue these two tastes, along 
*¢ with a pleasant warmth; whereas when the latter is 
retained the same length of time, along with this bit- 
terness and astringency, it imparts an indescribable 
taste, which will be easily recognised by every one 
‘“* who has taken the bark.” 


6 


nm 


6¢ 


¢ 


nw 


Dr. WaLkKER’s experiments show, ‘“ that the Cor- 
nus florida and sericea, and the Peruvian bark, pos- 
sess the same ingredients, that is gum, mucilage, and 
extract, which last contains the tannin and gailic acid, 
though in different proportions. ‘The Florida possesses 
most of the gum, mucilage, and extract; the Seri- 
‘“‘ cea the next, which appears to be an intermediate be- 


« 


‘ 


n 


6 
ce 


i<4 


* See pages 11, 12, 47. 

+ An Experimental Inquiry into the similarity in virtue between the Cor. 
nus florida and sericea, and the Cinchona officinalis of Linnzus, &e. &c. 
Philadelphia: 1803. 

Part IT. E 


. = J 

‘‘ tween the Florida and Peruvian Bark; while the latter 
‘< possesses most of the resin. Their virtues appear 
‘“‘ equally similar in their residence. The extract and 
‘* resin possess all their active virtues. The extract ap- 
‘“‘ pears to possess all their tonic power. The resin, 
“‘ when perfectly separated from the extract, appears to 
“be purely stimulant*.” 


Over author has established the stimulant power of 
the two Cornels, by actual experiments upon the healthy 
system. By the use of these medicines, the pulse was 
often rendered fuller and stronger, and always quickerf. 


Tue bark of the Cornus sericea forms a beautiful 
tincture with proof spirits. This is deserving of a place 
in the shops, as are, also the powdered barks of both 
Species. 


I can add but little, from my own experience, con- 
cerning the application of these two species of Cornus 
to the cure of diseases. I believe, however, that it may, 
with entire safety, be asserted, that as yet we have not 
discovered within the limits of the United-States, any 
vegetables which have been found so effectually to an- 
swer the purpose of the Peruvian bark, in the manage- 
ment of intermittent fevers, as the Cornus florida and 
Cornus sericea. 


In an intermittent fever, which prevailed in West- 
New-Jersey, about twenty-four years ago, the bark of 
the Cornus florida was found more useful than the Pe- 


* An Experimental Inquiry, &c. page 29. 


+ Tbid. page 46. 


Cu ) 
suvian bark. It was used in the shape of a decoction*. 
I must candidly confess, however, that I have heard of 
more instances of the failure of this Cornel than of the 
Peruvian bark. But has any vegetable so completely 
prevented the recurrence of the paroxysms of intermit- 
tents as the last mentioned one? In the mineral kingdom, 
indeed, we have discovered an inestimable substitute far 
the bark: I mean Arsenic. This, particularly I think, 
when it is given in substance, will more certainly cure 
the intermittent, than any vegetable yet known, the Pe- 
ruvian bark excepted. But I am inclined to think, that 
relapses are more common after the employment of arse- 
nic than after that of the bark. BestpEes, ARSENIC 
CANNOT ALWAYS BE USED WITH ENTIRE SAFETY. 
In illustration of this position, I may here observe, that 
I myself have seen three cases of very general oedema 
of the face and limbs (especially the former) evidently 
induced by arsenic. Two of the subjects were children, 


* From the information of my learned friend, the Reverend Dr. Nicholas 
Collin, of Philadelphia. 


+ Ihave, for several years, employed the oxyd of arsenic in substance, m 
preference to Dr. Fowler’s solution. I think it a much more certain medi- 
cine than the solution. 1 commonly give it in combination with opium. One 
grain of the arsenic is united to four or eight grains of opium, and made into 
a mass with conserve of roses, or honey, or soap. This is divided into sixteen 
pills, of which I direct the patgent (an adult) to take two or three, at differ- 
ent periods, in the course of the day and night, especially during the apyrexia: 
Such are the powers of this medicine, that two grains of it are often sufficient 
to cure anintermittent, that has continued for weeks! Sometimes, I use larget 
doses: but in a majority of the cases that have come under my notice, I have 
found three sixtcenths of a grain of arsenic sufficient for the period of twenty- 
four hours. As children are, with difficulty, prevailed upon to take the medi- 
cine in the shape of a pill, Erub down the arsenic with honey or molasses and 
water, and sometimes with 9 portion of gum-arabic. In this form, it is very 
conveniently given to children, by drops; and the quantity of the mineral, 
in each dose, may be estimated with considerable accuracy.—In the cure of 
intermittents, does arsenic operate by virtue of its tonic power!—The Peru- 
vian bark sometimes cures intermittents that have resisted the powers of 

arsenic. 


¢ 2°) 
and the third an adult. They all recovered, without expe- 
riencing any other inconvenience from the medicime. I 
have also seen a case of temporary paralysis (or perhaps 
rather extreme debility) of the limbs induced by the 
medicine, in a patient labouring under an obstinate in- 
termittent. These notices may, possibly, be of some 
use to the very young and inexperienced practitioner, 
for whom principally they are thus candidly mentioned. 


Tue spirituous tincture of the bark of the Cornus se- 
ricea, already mentioned, has been advantageously used 
in the latter stage of diarrhoea, unaccompanied with fe- 
ver*, 


I wave already made mention of the Magnolia glau- 
cat. The bark of this tree 6 celebrated among the Wes- 
tern Indians, as a remedy in rheumatism, and in fevers. 
The tree grows, in great profusion, upon the river Kan- 
haway, whither the Indians resort for the purpose of 
procuring the bark, which they carry off, in great abun- 
dance. Employed in the shape of a decoction, it ‘‘ proves 
gently cathartic and ultimately sudorific.”” A cold in- 
fusion and a tincture of the bark are much used in in- 
termittents. ‘¢ In one case of inflammatory rheumatism 
‘ it seemed to produce considerable effect and relief, as 
‘¢ a sudorific, after blood-letting had been premised.” It 
is known by the names of Elk-Bark and Indian Barkf. 
From the former name, I presume the bark is eaten by 
the American Elk, or Cervus Wapiti. We know it is 
eaten by the Beaver: hence one of the English names 
of this tree, viz. Beaver-iree. 


* Prom the information of Dr. Amos Gregg, jun. 
{See Part First, pages 13, 14. 


+ From the information of my friend, Charles Everett, M. D. of Miltons 
Aibemarle-County, Virginia. 


( =) 

For further information concerning the medical and 
other properties of this vegetable, I refer the reader to 
Dr. Thomas D. Price’s Inaugural Dissertation on the 
Magnolia Glauca, or Common White Laurel-tree*. 


Tue bark of the Prunus Virginiana (Cerasus Virgi- 
niana of Michaux), which I have mentioned in the First 
Part of these Collections}, is considerably bitter and as- 
tringent. These qualities are accompanied with some 
aromatic warmth. It has been justly observed, that 
‘* there is a great similarity between the flavour of this 
‘“‘ bark, and the skin inclosing the kernels of peach 
** stones{.”’ This bark also possesses an evident nar- 
cotic quality, to which it is highly probable, that some 
of the useful qualities of the medicine, in certain cases, 
must be ascribed. It is manifestly stimulant. The bark 
of the root seems to be more powerful than that of “the 
trunk. 


My own experience with this vegetable has been in- 
considerable. ‘The experience and observations of others, 
however, lead me to believe, that it is a medicine well 
worthy of the notice of physicians. In some parts of the 
United-States, the bark has been much employed in in- 
_ termittents, in which it is said to have been found as ef- 
ficacious as the Peruvian bark. This I am not willing 
to believe. But as it is a durable tonic, there is little 
reason to doubt, independently on actual observations, 
that it is deserving of attention in this common disease. 


Tue bark has also been found useful in certain cases 
of dyspepsia, in consumption of the lungs, and in lum- 


* Philadelphia: 1802. 
+ See pages 11 and 35. 
+ Dr. Morris. 


( 22 ) 
bar abscess, attended with hectic fever, and colliquative 
sweats. Of its use in this latter case, we have an in- 
stance in the Medical Repository*. The patient made 
use of a decoction of the bark. It would be easy to men- 
tion many other diseases in which this medicine has 
been advantageously employed. 


I HAVE already observedf, that the leaves of this tree 
are poisonous to certain animals. Dr. Morris has shown, 
that the distilled water of the leaves is a powerful poi- 
son to different species of animals, such as kittens, pi- 
geons, &c. About a tea-spoonful of the water killed a 
“pigeon fully fledged,” in thirty-two minutes. This 
gentleman was obliged to make his experiments upon 
the young and imperfectly-expanded leaves of the tree. 
The adult leaves are doubtless more powerful. Expe- 
riments would seem to show, that the deleterious prin- 
ciple of the leaves is of a very volatile nature. 


Unpber this head of tonics, I may, with some pro- 
priety, take notice of the Eupatorium perfoliatum. Tam 
sensible, however, that this vegetable might be more 
advantageously treated of under several different heads, 
such as those of Eimetics, Sudorifics, &c., than under 
one individual head. But as a tonic quality is, unques- 
tionably, attached to this plant, and as I am not, in these 
Collections, particularly studious of method, | shall bring 
together all I have to offer concerning the Kupatorium, 
under one point of view. Of this very common plant 
in almost every part of the United States, | have made 


* Vol v. No. r1r. 

+ Part First, page 11. 

+See an Inaugural Dissertation on the Prunus Virginiana, &e. &e. By 
Charles Morris, of Virginia. Philadelphia: 1802. 


( 23 ) 

mention in the First Part of these Collections*. It is the 
Eupatorium connatum of Michaux. Besides the pro- 
vincial or common English names which have already 
been mentioned, it is known by the following appella- 
tions: viz. Thorough-stem, Cross-wort, Bone-set, and 
Indian-Sage. The first of these names has been imposed 
upon it from the peculiar structure of the leaves, which 
are opposite, and appear as though the stem was thrust 
through them. It has received the name of Cross-wort, 
by which it is known in many parts of Virginia, from 
the position of the leaves, each pair of which (in general) 
take their origin from opposite sides of the stem, so that 
they cross each other nearly at right angles. I am more 
at a loss to refer the word Bone-set to its real origin: 
but I presume the plant received this name, from the 
great relief which, on many occasions, it has been known 
to afford to persons labouring under violent remitting 
and other fevers, in which the bones are greatly pained. 
The resemblance of the leaves of this plant to those of 
the Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) was, long ago, re- 
marked by the botanistst. Hence the name Indian-Sage, 
by which this Eupatorium is known in some parts of 
Pennsylvania. We have seen, that it is one of the re- 
medies of the Indiansf. 


I nave already hinted at the obvious properties of the 
Eupatorium, and have observed, that it has been used 
in intermittents, and other fevers). I am nowto remark, 
in consequence of subsequent inquiries, that the plant 


* See pages 28, 55. 


¢ Particularly by Plukenet, who thus defines the plant: ‘* Eupatorium Vir- 
ginianum, Salvre foliis longissimis acuminatis, perfoliatum. Alm. Bot. 140. 
t. 86.f. 6. 


+ Part First, p. 28, 55. 
§ Part First, p. 28, 55. 


( 24 ) 

has been exhibited, with uncommon advantage, in these 
affections. In simple intermittents, admitting of distinct 
intermissions, a decoction of the whole plant, or the 
leaves in powder, have, on many occasions, proved ef- 
fectual in preventing the recurrence of paroxysms. I now 
speak of the medicine, as exhibited during the time of 
intermission. But the vegetable, especially in the form 
of a decoction, has often been given during the time of 
the hot stage, and I am in possession of a large portion 
of testimony in favour of its efficacy when thus employ- 
ed. Not only in intermittents, but likewise in remit- 
tents, and in the malignant yellow-fever, as it has pre- 
vailed in Philadelphia, &c., has our plant been used, with 
much advantage. When exhibited in the form of a warm 
decoction, it has seemed to prove peculiarly beneficial, 
especially by exciting a copious perspiration. The effect 
of the medicine, in inducing this evacuation, constitutes 
one of its most valuable properties, and has procured to 
it an appellation (that of the ‘“ vegetable antimony’’) to 
which, I believe, it is as well entitled as many other ve- 
getables, which might be mentioned. But I greatly doubt 
if the sudorific effect of this plant, when unassisted by 
heat, can be compared to that of the Polygala Senega, 
and several other American plants. It often proves eme- 
tic: but this operation, which on many occasions, is not 
the least useful of its properties, may be prevented by 
a proper attention to the medicine. In some parts of the 
United-States, it 1s exhibited in intermittents, chiefly 
with a view to its emetic effect. 


Tue Eupatorium has been used im other cases. It is 
said to have been found very useful in a peculiar and 
distressing affection of the herpetic kind, which was 
formerly very common in Virginia, and there known by 
the name of the “ James-river Ringworm;”’ because it 


(8 ) 

was especially prevalent among the inhabitants residing 
upon the upper streams of James-River. This disease 
was particularly disposed to affect young men. It at- 
tacked the thighs, the scrotum, and especially the parts 
immediately adjacent to the anus. It extended its ra- 
vages into the rectum, and perhaps much further. It 
was, at all times, a disgusting and troublesome disease, 
though it rarely proved mortal. 


Mr. Jerrerson* informed me, in 1802, that within 
the period of his remembrance, this herpes was extreme- 
ly common in Virginia, and that it had gradually disap- 
peared, or become less common, from about the timet 
that the Warm and Hot Springs, in the county of Bath, 
in Virginia, had been better known, and more frequent- 
ed. He ascribed the disappearance of the affection to 
the use of these waters; the temperature of the former 
of which is about 98°: that of the latter 106°, of Faren- 
heit’s thermometer. 


In this affection, the Eupatorium perfoliatum has 
often been found very beneficial, as [ have been inform- 
ed by a respectable physician{ in Virginia. The pa- 
tient drank a decoction of the plant, and continued the 
use of it for a considerable time. It sometimes puked: 
it, no doubt, purged; and, in all probability, it operated 
as a sudorific. But by what quality it more especially 
operated, in curing the disease, I am unable to say. The 
fact may, I believe, be depended upon. 


* The President of the United-States. 


+ These waters were certainly known at least as early as 1759 or 1769. 
But [believe they did not begin to be frequented, by any considerable num- 
ber of persons, until some years after. The James-river Ringworm was very 
prevalent about the year 1766. 

+ Dr. Thomas Knox, of Culpeper. 

Part IY: FE 


( 26 ) 

Ir may, perhaps, serve to increase our confidence in 
the powers ascribed to the Eupatorium perfoliatum as 
a remedy for herpes, to observe, that the JAya-Pana, 
which of late has excited so much attention, is a species 
of this vast family of plants, and that it also has been 
celebrated as a remedy in certain affections, somewhat 
allied to herpes*. 


I ciose this article by observing, that every part of 
the Eupatorium perfoliatum may be advantageously 
employed in practice. I believe, from my own observa- 
tions, that the flowers possess the greatest portion of the 
activity of the plant; and they ought to be kept in the 
shops. As a tonic bitter, I deem them superior to the 
flowers of Camomile, (Anthemis nobilis), for which they 
might be substituted, on many occasions. 


Section III. Srimutants, or IncirTantTs. 
§ J. General STIMULANTS. 


Kaumra latifoliat. The powdered leaves of this ve- 
getable have been used, with much success, in some 
cases of intermittentst. A saturated tincture, prepared 
from the leaves with a proof spirit, 1s an active medicine, 
and perhaps worthy of a place in the shops§. For some 


® See Mr. Tilloch’s valuable Philosophical Magazine, &c. vo). xili. p. 376, 
&e. &e. 

} See Part First, p. 18, 50. 

+ Dr. Amos Gregg, jun. 

§ A few drops of this tincture, poured upon the body of a large and vigor- 


( #47») 
interesting information concerning the powers of this 
species of Kalmia, and also those of Kalmia angustifo- 
lia, or Narrow-leaved Kalmia, commonly called Lamb- 
kill, &c., I beg leave to refer the reader to Dr. George 
G. Thomas’s Inaugural Dissertation concerning these 
plants, published at Philadelphia, in 1802. 


Laurus Sassafras. In the First Part of this work, I 
have made mention of the oil of this vegetable, and have 
hinted at its affinity to camphor*. The resemblance 
between the two articles is further evinced by this cir- 
cumstance, that the oil of Sassafras, when externally 
applied to the body in rheumatic and gouty affections, 
is remarkable for its power of. shifting the pain from its 
original seat; but not always to the advantage of the pa- 
¢zent. Like camphor, therefore, it ought ever to be used, 
in such affections, with great caution. I believe, how- 
ever, that it is a medicine well adapted to many cases of 
rheumatism, in its chronic stage; though even here it 
may prove injurious. 


Tue Phytolacca decandra, well known by the names 
of Poke, Garget, American Nightshade, &c., is one of 
the most common North-American plants. It is, cer- 
tainly, a plant of great activity, though the young shoots, 
when boiled, may be eaten with impunity, and are justly 
deemed a great delicacy. By many, they are preferred 
to the finest asparagus. 


Some of the medicinal powers of this plant have 
long been known}. The ripe berries, infused in brandy, 


ous rattle-snake, in my possession, killed the reptile in a very short time. It 
violently affected the animal, almost instantaneously. 

*Paaes 195120: 

{ See the writings of Kalm, Vogel, Haller, Allioni, Schoepf, and others 


(6 287%) 

or wine, especially the former, are a popular remedy for 
rheumatism, in many parts of the United-States. This 
tincture of Poke (Tinctura Phytolacce) is certainly a 
valuable medicine in cases of chronic rheumatism, and 
other similar affections. Like the volatile tincture of gum 
Guaiacum, it has sometimes done injury; as might in- 
deed be expected from an active medicine, in the hands 
of the injudicious or ignorant. It may, I believe, be 
safely exhibited in most of the cases of rheumatism, in 
which the Guaiacum has been used with safety and ad- 
vantage. In the rheumatic affections, which frequently 
succeed to the venereal disease, it seems to be a more 
valuable medicine than the Guaiacum, and may be ad- 
vantageously employed, especially along with calomel, 
or other preparations of mercury. I have employed the 
ripe Juice of the berries, inspissated to the state of an 
extract, in some cases of scrophula. The juice, in the 
same state, has, I am informed, been advantageously 
employed in cases of cancerous ulcers. These ulcers 
were dressed with the extract, spread upon linen, or 
upon the leaf of the plant. But the juice of the leaves, 
applied in the same manner, is said to have been found 
more efficacious. I am inclined to repose some credit 
in the testimonies which I have collected concerning 
the utility of the extract of Poke, in the cases just men- 
tioned. 


Tue reader may consult, with advantage, 4n Inau- 
gural Botanico-Medical Dissertation on the Phytolacca 
Decandra of Linneus. By Benjamin Shultz*. As a re- 
pository of facts concerning the Phytolacca, this disser- 
tation is valuable, and worthy of attention. But the sub- 
ject is still, in a great measure, a new one. 


* Philadelphia: 1795. 


( 29 ) 


Arum triphyllum*. The recent root of this plant 
boiled in milk, so as to communicate to the milk a strong 
impregnation of the peculiar acrimony of the plant, has 
been advantageously employed in cases of consumption 
of the lungs. I have heard of one case (that of a negro 
man in Virginia) who was completely cured of a pulmo- 
nary consumption by continuing to take, for a consider- 
able time, milk in which the root of the Arum had been 
boiled. It would certainly be worth trying this simple 
prescription in some cases of a disease which so general- 
ly baffles the powers of all our medicines, and the skill 
of the best physicians. I am not ignorant, that within the 
period of a very few years, the disease of consumption 
has been supposed to be deprived of some of its terrors: 
but I must add, with real regret, that notwithstanding 
the high encomiums which have been bestowed upor 
the Digitalis as a remedy for this disease, by some dis- 
tinguished medical philosophers, and practitionerst, I 
have employed this vegetable in a considerable number 
of cases of consumption, and, upon the whole, with very 
-inconsiderable permanent advantage. In one case, in- 
deed, it seemed to perform a cure of what I deemed ge- 
nuine phthisis: in several other cases, it evidently and 
remarkably affected the pulse, and moderated the urgen- 
cy of the symptoms; but the patients ultimately fell vic- 
tims to the disease. Some of the patients to whom | 
exhibited the Digitalis were so far advanced in the dis- 
ease, that little benefit could have been expected from 
medicine of any kind: but others of them again were in 
the earlier stages of the disease, and consequently in a 
situation that seemed to admit ‘of permanent relief, from 
this or from other medicines. Yet, with the exception of 


* PartiPirst, p: 21, 32. 
+ Mr. Saunders, Dr. Thomas Beddoes, Dr. N. Drake, &c. &e 


ie he) 

the case already hinted at, I have not been able to effect 
a single cure by means of Digitalis. I am even inclined 
to think, that I have, in several instances*, more consi- 
derably arrested the progress of phthisis pulmonalis by 
means of emetics (particularly the sulphat of zinc, ex- 
hibited in the manner recommended by Dr. Moseleyt) 
than by Digitalis. Candour compels me to add, that 
my own experience with the Digitalis in consumption 
has been less than that of several other practitioners in 
Philadelphia, some of whom entertain a more favoura- 
ble opinion of the medicine, as a remedy for consump- 
tion, than I do. 


Dr. Storck, of Vienna, has called the attention of 
physicians to a species of Clematis, or Virgin’s-Bower, 
the Clematis rectat. This is a very acrid and active 
plant, which Storck recommended in cancerous, vene- 
real and other malignant ulcers, and also in obstinate 
pains of the head, and bones, and in other diseases. An 
infusion of the flowers or leaves, and an extract of the 
plant were used internally. The powder was sprinkled 
upon the ulcers, where it was found to act as an excel- 
lent escharotic and detergent. 


I po not know that the Clematis recta is a native of 
any part of America. I have been led to mention the 
plant in this place, because the United-States afford us 
some species of the same genus, which, from a few ex- 
periments that I have made with them, promise to be 
useful inmedicine. The species which I have more par- 
ticularly attended to, are Clematis crispa, and Clematis 


* Especially in the Pennsylvania Hospital, in the summer of 1803. 

+ A Treatise upon Tropical Diseases, &c. &c. p. 541, &c. London: 1792. 

¢ Upright Virgin’s-Bower. Storck calls the plant Flammula Jovis. It is a 
aative of Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, and France. 


( 31 ) 

Viorna. The leaves of these species are extremely 
acrid, and may be found useful in chronic rheumatism, 
palsy, old ulcers; and, m fine, in all the diseases in which 
Storck found the Clematis recta useful*. As they are 
very active plants, it is necessary to use them in small 
doses. I have received some obscure. information con- 
cerning the employment of one of the species (I think 
C. crispa), in Virginia, as a remedy in some particular 
affections. 


Dr. Scuoerr has made no mention of these plants, 
but has proposed the employment of Clematis Virgini- 
ana, as a substitute for Clematis rectat. The C. Vir- 
giniana is a much more feeble plant than either of the 
three other species which have been mentioned. 


§ If. Topica, StTimuLants. 


Tue Pyrola umbellata, already mentioned, may be 
noticed under this head. The bruised leaves of this 
plant, when externally applied, sometimes induce red- 
ness, vesication and desquamation of the skin. But this 
is by no means a constant operation of the vegetable; 
and, therefore, it does not seem particularly worthy of 
our attention, in this point of view. 


Ruus radicanst. The following observations, rela- 
tive to the deleterious property of this common plant, 


* See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third. p. 70. 
¢ Materia Medica Americana, &c. Praefatio, p. xiil, 
+ See Part First, p. 23, 52, 53, 54. 


( 52 ) 
will not, I hope, be unacceptable to those who are in- 
terested in a knowledge of its natural history. The 
person who is the subject of the observations, has, for 
many years, been severely affected by the plant; and 
although many other persons are similarly affected, it 
is not often, I believe, that the progress of the poison is 
marked with minute attention in those who are injured 


by it. 


On the eighth day of July, 1795, I applied two or 
three drops of the milky juice whilst it issued from the 
common foot-stalk of the leaves of the Rhus radicans, 
to the wristband of my shirt. These leaves, immediately 
before, had been torn from the stalk of the plant, by a 
friend of mine*. My object, in applying the juice, was 
to determine, in what length of time it would assume the 
black hue. In a few minutes, I found that the linen was 
stained black, and in a short time after this, I observ- 
ed that the juice had penetrated through the wristband, 
and that it had communicated a dark brown or blackish 
colour to that portion of the epidermis which was im- 
mediately under it. ‘he day was unusually warm, and 
I went into the water to bathe. In the evening, I felt a 
considerable itching of my wrist, and the following 
morning observed, that there were upon it a number of 
extremely minute vesicles, which contained a fluid more 
or less limpid, or transparent. The itching increased 
hourly: the wrist and the middle of the fore-arm began 
to swell, and the vesicles extended themselves rapidly, 
chiefly upwards, towards the elbow, and partly down- 
wards, along the lower part of the wrist, and upon the 
fingers. 

*IT was not myself within the sphere of the action of the plant, which f 


was careful to avoid, weil knowing, from long experience, its injurious ef 
fects upon me. 


ON 
MEANWHILE, vesicles accompanied with, and pre- 
ceded by, itching more or less troublesome, made their 
appearance, upon various other parts of the body. The 
face was universally sprinkled with them. But these were 
extremely small, the fluid which they contained, was 
always very limpid, and without any application, ex- 
cept that of cold water every morning, they entirely 

disappeared in two or three days. 


Axsourt the seventh or eighth day, the itching, the 
inflammation, and the spread of the vesicles appeared 
to be nearly at their height. At this period, and for 
some days afterwards, the greater part of the fore-arm, 
and about one third of the arm were swelled to nearly 
twice the natural thickness; the itching was intolerable, 
and the vesicles, in general, were no longer filled with 
a limpid fluid, but contained a thick matter, or pus, very 
similar to that of small-pox, and strongly adhering to 
the linen. | 


On the ninthday, I perceived a swelling in the axil- 
lary gland of the right arm, which was that to which the 
lacteous juice was applied, and which was chiefly affect- 
ed. The swelling rapidly increased, until it became of 
the size of a hen’s egg, and on the second day from its 
appearance, it had almost entirely evanished. 


From the period that the swelling was at its height, 
to its entire disappearance, the itching was almost uni- 
versal, and much more insupportable than it was before. 
I attributed this itching to the influence of the poison, 
which, I suppose, was conveyed into the system, from 
the time that the axillary gland began to swell and in- 
flame. Nevertheless, I could not discover that there was 


Part IT. G 


Gs Sibi) 
in consequence of this supposed absorption of the poi- 


son, any increase of the number of vesicles upon the 
surface of the body. 


In fifteen days from the time that the poison was first 
applied to my arm, all the disagreeable symptoms had 
ceased; the vesicles had almost entirely disappeared; a 
desquamation of the affected parts had taken place, and 
a new epidermis had been formed. 


From the foregoing statement, it must appear evi- 
dent, that to some constitutions the imilk-like juice of 
the Rhus radicans is capable of producing very disa- 
ereeable effects. It must not, however, be imagined, that 
these effects are equally disagreeable to all constitutions; 
and it is certain that there are many persons who are not 
at all affected by this plant. 


Ir has been asserted, that persons of the most irritable 
habits of body are the most liable to be affected by the 
Rhus radicans, and by some other species of the same 
genus. I do not intend to oppose myself as an excep- 
tion to this position; but from a recollection of the con- 
stitutions of several persons to whom this poison has 
been applied, I have very little hesitation in asserting, 
that the susceptibility of receiving its influence is by no 
means proportional to the degree of irritability, whether 
muscular or mental, of the habit. It may, I believe, be 
asserted with much more truth, that the susceptibility 
of receiving the influence of the poison of the Rhus radi- 
dans is somewhat proportional to the delicacy and thin- 
ness of the epidermis and skin. Hence, no doubt, it is 
that females are more liable to be poisoned by this plant 
than males; that the face is seldom so much affected by 
it as the arms, the genitals, and most other parts of the 


ashe) 
body that are protected from the constant influence of 
the air; and that young persons are more frequently poi- 
soned than those who have arrived at the age of man- 
hood, or who have passed to the term of older age. 


I wave said, that there are many persons who are not, 
in the least, affected by the poison of the Rhus radicans, 
externally applied. This is an undoubted fact. Some 
of these persons after expressing the juice of the plant, 
will rub it upon their arms, and other parts of their bo- 
dies, without experiencing the smallest injurious effect. 
Iam acquainted with two gentlemen, who find no ill 
effects from c! ew 12, for a considerable time, the recent 
leaves of this piait. It deserves to be mentioned, that 
one of the gentlemen, I allude to, is liable to be consi- 
derably injured by the effluvia of the Rhus radicans, 
when applied to the external surface of his body. 


It may not be improper to observe, in this place, that 
several other native plants besides the species of Rhus, 
and the Pyrola umbellata, induce, in certain persons, a 
vesicular state of the skin. The flowers of the Kalmia 
latifolia, or Broad-leaved Laurel, have been known to 
do this in some persons. I knew an elderly lady who 
was affected, in the same way, by the Nerium Oleander, 
or Common-Oieander, or Rosebay. But this last is not 
an American vegetable. 


A vecocrion of the bark of the Rhus radicans has 
been used, with sceming advantage, in some cases of 
consumption of the lungs, in difierent parts of Pennsyl- 
vania. A gentleman of my acquaintance (who has since 
fallen a victim to the disease) informed me, that he had 
certainly found much benefit from this decoction in a 
pulmonary affection, complicated with fistula in ano. 


( #5 
A decoction of the root of the plant is said to have been 
advantageously employed in cases of asthma. 


A LATE writer, M. du Fresnoi, strongly recommends 
the Rhus radicans, in the treatment of herpetic affections, 
and in paralysis. In the first of these cases, he employed 
the infusion and the distilled water of the leaves of the 
plant. He relates seven cases, which seem to establish, 
unequivocally, the efficacy of these preparations in the 
affections which I have mentioned. He says he cured 
five cases of paralysis by the use of the plant*. Dr. Al- 
derson informs us, that he has used the Rhus Toxico- 
dendron, with much benefit, in the same diseaset. 


Tue bark of the Rhus glabrum, or Smooth Pennsyl- 
vania Sumachj, boiled in milk, has been recommended 
as a remedy for chronic ulcers; and, | am informed, has 
been found very useful. The ulcers are often washed 
with the decoction. 


Section IV. SIaALacoca. 


I Have nothing additional to say under the head of 
particular Erruines, and therefore proceed to the sec- 
tion of Statacoca, or SALIVATING medicines. Be- 
tween these and the Errhines, there is a very great affin- 


* Des proprietes de la plante, appellée, Rhus radicans; de son utilité, &e. 
&c. A Leipsic: 1788. Ihave not seen the original work. 


+ An Essay on the Rhus Toxicodendron, or Pubescent Poison-Oak, or Su- 
mach, &c. By John Alderson, M. D. Hull: 1796. 


+ Part First, p. 53. 


ee D 

ity; as is evinced by this circumstance, that several arti- 
cles of the materia medica, both minerals and vegetables, 
very frequently act by increasing the secretion by the 
nose, and also that by the salivary glands. This is re- 
markably the case with respect to the sulphat of mercu- 
ry, or turpith-mineral; and, in one instance, I think I 
have seen a salivation decidedly induced by the use of 
the turpith-mineral, in combination with tobacco, that 
had been used, for some weeks, as an errhine. This will 
the more readily be admitted as a fact, when we read, that 
a very extensive salivation of long continuance, has been 
apparently induced by an irritation applied to the paro- 
tid gland, through the medium of the meatus auditorius. 
The irritating substance was a portion of fetid wool*. 
It would be an easy task to cumulate facts to prove, 
that “‘ the number of salivating medicines is much great- 
** er than has been commonly imaginedf.”’ 


PotycaLa Senega, or Seneca Snake-roott. My in- 
genious pupil, Dr. Thomas Walmsley has lately com- 
municated to me an additional instance of the salivating 
power of this active vegetable. The patient (a lady aged 
about ....... years) had taken, for some time, a decoction 
of the Seneca, and was thrown into a profuse ptyalism, 
which continued for a considerable time. 


Ir is a well-ascertained fact, that the disease of teta- 
nus has often been induced by different poisonous vege- 
tables: by Datura Stramonium, Hyoscyamus albus, or 
White-Henbane, not to mention several others. The 


* See Medical Transactions, published by the College of physicians in 
London, vol. II. p. 34, &e. 
+ See Part First, p. 25. 


+See Part First, p. 26. 


C98. 2 
same disease 1s likewise sometimes induced by the heai- 
thy or natural poisons of certain animals. I have collect- 
ed two well-authenticated instances of the production 
of this disease, by the bites of venomous serpents, in 
the United-States. One of the patients died. The teta- 
nus did not come on until six or seven days after she 
was bitten. The other recovered from the disease, by 
the use of large doses of the Seneca, boiled in milk*. 
I know not whether this instance of success should en- 
courage us to hope, that the Seneca might be given, with 
advantage, in those cases of tetanus which are the con- 
sequence of wounds, in different parts of the body. I fear 
that our vegetable, though by no means a feeble one, 
will be found unequal to the cure of this terrible disease. 


Tue Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis and Zanthoxylum 
fraxinifolium are both mentioned in the First Part of 
these Collectionst. They are both vegetables endued 
with very active powers. The bark promises to be a 
very useful medicine is cases of paralytic affections of 
the tongue, or of the muscles concerned in deglutition: 
and in such cases, when held in the mouth, they have 
been employed with advantaget. They are more active 
than Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum), which both Dr. 
Withering) and myself have employed, with a good 
effect, in the same cases. It might, perhaps, be worth 
trying the Zanthoxyla, as masticatories, in some cases 
of stammering. 


In some parts of Virginia, the berries of Zanthoxy- 
tum fraxinifolium are much esteemed as a remedy in 


* See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 105. 
7 See p: 26, 54. 
+ By Dr. Tucker Harris, of Charleston, South-Carolina. 


§ A Systematic Arrangement, &c. vol. IL p. 370. 


, oa) 
violent cholicky affections. A spirituous infusion of the 


berries is employed. They are known by the name of 
“¢ Suter’s-berries.”’ 


For some interesting notices concerning the use of 
the bark of Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, in rheumatic 
affections, in ulcers, &c. &c. &c., I refer the reader to 
different communications, in the Memoirs of the Medical 
Society of London*, and other periodical publications. 


Section V. Emerics. 


Spir#a trifoliatat. This is sometimes very injudi- 
ciously employed by the country-people, insomuch that 
they are obliged to apply for medical aid to remove the 
debility induced by the large doses of the root which 
they employ. “ It is said, that there grows in the state 
‘*‘ of Kentucky, another species, which is still more 
“¢ valuable, as an emetic, than the S. trifoliatat.’”’ 


Tue emetic power of the Sanguinaria Canadensis, of 
which I have taken notice in the former part of this 
work}, has been fully established by the experiments of 
Dr. Downey, in his ingenious essay upon this plant. 
The “‘ most prominent effect’? of the medicine is to in- 
duce vomiting, even when it is exhibited in moderate 
doses. “ When taken in the dose of fifteen or twenty 
“« grains,” it exerts powerful emetic qualities. “ But 
‘in consequence of the irritation, which is produced in 


* Velivis 

7 Part Birst, p.27: 

+ Elements of Botany, &c. Part ILI. p. 89. 
§ Page 28. 


( 40 ) 


** the fauces, it is probable, that in the form of a pow- 
“ der, it will never come into general use. This incon- 
** venience may, however, be obviated, by giving it in 
“* form of a decoction or extract.” When managed with 
care, it is deemed ‘‘ but little inferior to the ipecacuan- 
“ha, either in the certainty or speediness of its opera- 
*‘tion*. The powder of the root may be given as an 
** emetic for an adult, in the dose of fifteen or twenty 
** grains, made into pills, otherwise a considerable irri- 
*¢ tation will be produced in the fauces in taking itt.” 


Hiruerro, the Sanguinaria has been but little em- 
ployed by the regular practitioners. It promises, how- 
ever, to be an useful medicine, particularly on the foun- 
dation of its emetic and expectorant effects, in cases of 
eynanche maligna, or ulcerous sore-throat, in cynanche 
trachealis, or hives, and other similar affections. Its pro- 
perties seem to be considerably allied to those of the 
Seneca Snake-root, which has been so beneficially em- 
ployed in the same cases{. I have received an account 
of its having been employed, in the shape of a decoc- 
tion, with very evident good effect, in the case of that 
particular form of cynanche trachealis, which Dr. Dar- 
win has named Peripneumonia trachealis\. ‘The medi- 
cine proved emetic, and the patient recovered. 


* An Investigation of the properties of the Sanguinaria Canadensis, or 
Puccoon. By William Downey, of Maryland. Philadelphia: 1803. 

¢ An Investigation, &c. pages 23, 25. 

+ See Part First, p. 34, 56, 57. 

§ Zoonomia, or the Laws of Organic Life. Vol. I. The disease of hives 
appears under several different shapes, in ail of which the trachea seems to 
be essentially affected. In the course of my practice, I have met wit some 
cases, which answer precisely to Darwin’s description, and for which I think 
the term peripneumonia trachealis is a very appropriate one. If I do not mis- 
take, this form of the disease, in general, more readily admits of early and 
complete relief than any of the other shapes in which it appears. 


Cae 

I Have already observed, that the seeds of the San- 
guinaria ‘‘ appear to possess nearly the same quality as 
“< the seeds of Datura Stramonium*.” That is, they in- 
duce fever, delirium, dilatation of the pupil of the eye, 
&c. Dr. Downey concludes, from a few experiments, 
which he made with the “ unripe seeds,”’ that they pos- 
*¢ sess a very considerable influence over the pulse, and. 
** a stupifying or narcotic qualityt.’’ A deleterious pro- 
perty evidently resides in the leaves of the plantt, as well 
as in the seeds. 


| 


Section VI. CaTHaRTICs. 


Unper this head, in the former part of the works, I 
have mentioned the Asclepias decumbens, commonly 
called Pleurisy-root, Flux-root, &c. The root of this 
plant does, unquestionably, possess a purgative quality. 
But this does not seem to be the most valuable part of 
its properties. It is said to possess a remarkable power 
of affecting the skin, inducing general and plentiful per- 
spiration, without greatly increasing the heat of the body. 
Accordingly, I find it is much employed by the practi- 
tioners of medicine, in some parts of the United-States, 
particularly, I believe, in Virginia, as a remedy in cer- 
tain forms of fever, in pleurisy, and other aifections. 
The root is used both in powder and in decoction. 
Sometimes, it is used in combination with antimonials. 


‘ * Part First, p. 28. 
+ An Investigation, &e. p. 24. 
+ Ibid. p. 24. 


§ Page 29. See, also, page 55. 
Part II. H 


( 42 ) 

Te decoction often induces perspiration, when other 
medicines have failed to produce this effect. A physi- 
cian*, who has been much in the habit of employing 
this Asclepias, informs me, that ‘ in the low states of 
‘ typhus fever, he has more frequently observed a per- 
‘ spiration to succeed to the use of the Asclepias than 
“to any of the sudorifics that are generally used.’ 


Asovurt thirty years ago, this vegetable was strongly 
recommended, as a specific for Pleurisy, by a Mr. Thom- 
son Mason, of Virginia. After the use of an antimonial 
emetic, and the loss of some blood, he gives his patients 
‘as much of the Pleurisy-root, pounded very fine, and 
‘* then searched through a fine search, as will lie upon 
‘“‘ a tolerable broad caseknife, in a cup of warm water, 
‘‘ and repeats the dose every two hours, until the pa- 
*€ tient is perfectly recovered, which happens frequently 
‘¢ after three days, and never fails freeing him from pain 
“‘ after six.”” Mr. Thomson assures us, that by these 
simple means, he ‘‘ has cured hundreds, and never failed 
‘*€in a single instance.” 


Ir does not appear, that Mr. Thomson was a regular 
physician; but I have been led to mention his practice 
the more particularly, because his publication seems to 
have first called the attention of the public to the virtues 
of the Pleurisy-root, and I know that some very respect- 
able physicians, in Virginiat, have reposed not a little 
confidence in the powers which our author has ascribed 


* Dr. Charles Everett. Letter to me, dated Milton, October 23d, 1803. 

+ Among others, my friend, the late Dr. James Greenway, of Dinwiddie- 
county, in Virginia. From this gentleman, I received a copy of Thomson’s 
paper, which I think first made its appearance in an Almanac, in 1773. 


C =) 
to the medicine, as a remedy in the cases in which he 
employed it. 


From Mr. Thomson’s publication, it also appears, 
that the Pleurisy-root may be given in pretty large doses, 
perhaps about half a dram, several times in the course 
of the day. Indeed, I find that the Virginia physicians 
are not very nice in the doses of this medicine, when 
they prescribe it. 


Ir seems that Mr. Thomson entirely confined him- 
self to the use of the Asclepias decumbens, or the spe- 
cies with beautiful orange-coloured blossoms. He ob- 
serves, however, that there are two other species of the 
Pleurisy-root, which are known by the name of ‘‘ But- 
terfly-weed.”’ It is probable, therefore, that these two 
kinds (one of which I take for Asclepias Syriaca, well 
known by the names of Wild-Cotton, and Cotton-plant) 
have sometimes been used for the Asclepias decumbens; 
and it is not unlikely, that a common assemblage of pro- 
perties belongs to a number of the species of this fine 
family of plants. Asclepias Vincetoxicum, which is a 
native of Europe, has been recommended by some wri- 
ters on the Materia Medica, as a remedy for dysentery, 
and other diseases. 


I wave already mentioned* the extract of the Jug- 
lans cinereat, or Butternut-Walnut. This appears to 
me to be one of our most valuable native cathartics. It 
is well adapted to the treatment of dysentery, in which, 
however, it seems to operate merely as a laxative. A 
decoction of the inner bark (liber) of the tree has been 


* See Part First, p. 31. 
¢ Juglans oblonga alba of Marshall. 


( 44 ) 
very advantageously used as a cathartic, im that malig- 


nant fever of our horses, called the yellow-water, which 
I formerly noticed*. 


Tue green or unripe fruit of this vegetable is consi- 
derably acrid, and when applied externally to the skin, 
induces some irritation there. Advantage has been taken 
of this property by the country-people in some parts of 
the United-States. They apply the cut end of the fruit 
to those milk-white spots which often appear upon dif- 
ferent parts of the body, and seem to arise from a re- 
moval of the rete mucosum, or perhaps rather its colour- 
ing matter, from the skin. A surgeon, whom I met with 
in the remote parts of the state of New-York, in the year 
1797, informed me, that he had known the Butternut em- 
ployed with the effect of entirely removing the white ma- 
cule, or spots insome persons. I should have confidently 
ascribed the removal of these spots to the stimulant ope- 
ration of the juice of the nut, if I had not been assured, 
that similar affections are sometimes removed by the 
simple application of cream and other articles, which 
can hardly be supposed to operate by virtue of a stimu- 
lant power. I am, however, the more inclined to as- 
cribe the removal of the spots to the stimulant action of 
the nut, because in a case of this kind, that came under 
my own notice, I found much advantage from the ap- 
plication of a blister of cantharides to the affected parts. 
The spots were not only prevented from increasing, but 
were very sensibly diminished in size, by the action of 
the cantharides. I have the satisfaction to believe, that 
by this simple ireatment, I prevented the colouring 
matter of the mucous membrane from being entirely re- 
moved from one side, at least, of the face. 


*See Part Fitst, pol. 


Gar) 

i swaxt close this article by observing, that the spots 
of which I have been speaking, are mentioned by differ- 
ent writers, but by none, I believe, more particularly or 
correctly, than by my learned friend Professor Blumen- 
bach, of Gottingen. After speaking of the white spots 
which often make their appearance upon the bodies of 
negroes, and other dark-coloured people (see his section 
cutis fusca maculis candidis variegata), he has the follow- 
ing words; ‘‘ Niveae vero istae et aequabiles mollesque 
‘“* maculae quae non nisi actionem alienatam vasculorum 
‘¢ minimorum corii sequuntur, neutiquam inter Aethi- 
‘* opes tantum verum etiam passim inter nostrates occur- 
runt; mihique ipsi bina istiusmodi exempla in Ger- 
‘¢ manicis hominibus observandi occasio fuit, alterum 
‘* viri juvenis, alterum senis sexaginta et quod excurrit 
‘‘annorum. Utrique cutis subfusca hinc illinc maculis 
‘ diversae magnitudinis candidissimis distincta: quae 
“¢ vero neutri connatae, sed isti infantili aetate, huic con- 
‘ tra virili sensim et sua sponte subortae fuerant*.”’ 


ce 


n 


Section VII. Diuretics. 


I nave little to say under this head. I believe, how- 
ever, that it is a fact, that several of our indigenous ve. 
getables, of which no notice has been taken in the pre- 
ceding part of the Collections, are very powerful Diu- 
retics: but my knowledge of these plants is, as yet, very 
imperfect. 


® De Generis Humani varietate nativa, &e. p. 154, 155. Gottingae: 1795 


. oem 

Tue Erigeron Philadelphicum, or Philadelphia Flea- 
Bane, is one of the most common plants in many parts 
of the United-States. A decoction or infusion of the 
plant has been used in Philadelphia, by several persons, 
for gouty and gravelly complaints, and some of them 
have informed me, that they have been much benefited 
by the use of the plant*. It operates powerfully as a di- 
uretic, and also as a sudorific. This Erigeron is known 
m1 Pennsylvania by the name of Skevish, which I sus- 
pect is a corruption of the word Scabious. But it must 
be confessed, that the genera Scabiosa (Scabious) and 
Erigeron are sufficiently remote from each other. 


I Have never employed the Erigeron Philadelphicum, 
in practice: but I am led to believe, that there is some 
foundation for the assertions which I have noticed, be- 
cause I find that the same plant is mentioned by Father 
Loureiro, as one of the remedies that are employed by 
the people of Cochinchina; and he speaks of it as an ac- 
tive emmenagoguef. 


In Virginia, there is a plant called ‘ Piss-wort,’’ 
which is deemed a very powerful diuretic. Tam unac- 
quainted with the plant, which, however, has been men- 
tioned to me by a respectable physician, who informs 
me, that he once saw a strong decoction of it given to a 
horse, labouring under strangury, with the effect of sud- 
denly exciting a very copious flow of urine. Perhaps, 
it will be found that this plant is a species of Menisper- 
mum, or Moon-seed, of which genus there are several 
species indigenous within the limits of the United-States. 


? 


* See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third. p. 123. 
+ Flora Cochinchinensis, &c. Tom. II. p. 500. Ulyssipone: 1790. 


¢ 4) 


Section VIII. Antixiruics. 


By this term of Antriztituics, I mean those medi- 
cines which give relief in the disease of lithiaszs, or cal- 
culus, and also in nephritis when this depends upon the 
same causes that induce calculus, suchas a gouty diathe- 
sis, not to mention others. I prefer this term to the old 
one of LirHontriptTics, which has so generally been 
employed to denote a set of medicines which produce 
the effects I have mentioned. Lithontriptics, in the rigid 
sense of this term, are, I think, unknown to us; though 
I do not deny, that the long-continued use of lime-water 
and other similar medicines, may on some occasions, 
have acted partially by dissolving, or otherwise altering, 
the surface of urinary and other calculi. Meanwhile, 
we are certain, that in many instances where Uva Ursi 
and other medicines have greatly relieved the distressing 
symptoms induced by a calculus, the latter has remain- 
ed undissolved, and its form, perhaps, not in the least, 
altered. 


Tue real mode of operation of the Antilithics is un- 
known to us. It seems highly probable, however, that 
many of them produce their effects by virtue of an as- 
tringent quality. We, at least, find that not a few of the 
astringents, such as Uva Ursi*, some species of Gera- 
nium, &c., do give relief in many cases of nephritis and 
calculust. Dr. Cullen imagines, that the astringents 
act, in this case, by absorbing an acid in the stomacht. 
But this appears to be a frivolous theory, unsupported 


* See page 3. { J. H. Heucher. 
+ A Treatise of the Materia Medica. Vol. IL. p. 13, &c. 


(22 


by any respectable body of facts. The mode of opera- 
tion of the astringents, is not completely understood; 
and in ascertaining the fact, that these medicines are 
antilithics, we have only advanced one step towards the 
discovery of truth. But whatever may be the precise 
manner of acting of the astringents in cases of nephritis 
and calculus, we are certain, that an antilithic property 
belongs to many articles which have little or no claim to 
the character of astringents. Such are some of the plants 
of the genus Allium, or Garlic, as the Leek (Allium 
Porrum), &c.: also, carbonic acid, and carbonate of soda, 
not to mention several others. 


Ir is much to be regretted, that this most important 
subject should still be involved in so much uncertainty, 
notwithstanding the late laborious and ingenious inqui- 
ries of Fourcroy, Pearson, and other philosophers, who 
have favoured us with the results of their experiments, 
relative to the analysis of human and other calculi. But 
on this subject much remains to be done; and although 
it is not probable, that we shall soon, if ever, discover 
a solvend for calculi in the body, it is highly likely, that 
a more extensive and correct acquaintance with the inti- 
mate nature of these concretions, will, in time, conduct 
us to a knowledge of the means of preventing their for- 
mation. 


I wave but little to say on the subject of particular 
Antilithics. Indeed, it must be confessed, that our cata- 
logue of articles that are deserving of this title is very 
small. 


Or the Uva Ursi, I have already taken some notice*. 
I have also observed, that the Pyrola umbellata has been 


* See Part First, p. 9, 10. See also page 3, of the present part 


( 49 ) 

employed with advantage in nephritic affections*. The 
good effects of the kernels of Corylus Americana have 
been noticed}, as have those of the Philadelphia Flea- 
bane, or Erigeron Philadelphicumt. I have not however, 
employed any of these articles in the disease of nephritis, 
except the Uva Ursi, which is, unquestionably, a valu- 
able antilithic. I have often prescribed this medicine, 
and have known it to be useful, even when it was ascer- 
tained that a calculus was present. It is certain that it does 
relieve the disagreeable symptoms which are the conse- 
quence of the irritation of a stone; and some facts which 
have come under my own observation, independently 
on those which | have met with in medical authors, have 
led me to believe, that the use of this astringent medi- 
cine facilitates the expulsion of calculous granules, 
through the urethra. In what manner this effect is ac- 
complished, I am unable to say. I must add, however, 
that in some nephritic cases, Uva Ursi seems to increase 
the irritation which it so generally relieves. 


I HAVE already observed, that the root of Convolvu- 
lus panduratus “has been much recommended in cases 
were gravels. ” Since the publication of the former part 
of the Collections, I have received some additional and 
more certain information on this subject. In particular, 
I have learned, that an infusion or decoction of the root 
has been often used by a physician|| of New-Jersey, who 
has found the medicine very useful in his own case. He 
is persuaded, that it has enabled him to pass the calcu- 
lous granules, with much facility. 


SS HEE Tesce Duos 
+ See p. 46. § See Part First, p. 56 
|| Dr. Harris. 


Part II. I 


( 50 ) 
Section LX. ANTHELMINTICS. 


Ir has been asserted, that Worms, as constituting a 
disease, are more common in America than in Europe. 
I suspect that there is some foundation for this assertion, 
though I am sensible, that the assertion ought to be 
received with some hesitation. A larger body of facts 
should be collected, before the truth can be completely 
established. 


I nave already observed, that the Indian children, 
in some parts of the United-States, are very “* subject 
to worms, and to the /arve of insects, introduced into 
the system, along with their crude, and often unwhole- 
some, aliment*.” It is, moreover, a fact, that great 
numbers of these children fall victims to the diseases 
induced by worms. This is acknowledged by many of 
the Indians with whom I have conversed. The Oneidas 
preserve a very curious tradition concerning one of these 
epidemic worm-fevers, and inform us, that in conse- 
quence of the destruction which it occasioned among 
their children, the nation relinquished a station which 
it had long occupied, on the margin of the Oneida-Lake, 
and took possession of another, at some distance from 
the Lake. It has, however, been asserted by some in- 
genious writers, that diseases from worms are unknown 
among the Indianst. My own observations and inqui- 


* See Part First, p. 38, &c. 

+ Dr. Rush says, he “ cannot find any accounts of diseases from worms, 
"* among the Indians.” ‘* Nor does dentition (he observes) appear to be adis- 
“€ order among the Indians. The facility with which the healthy children of 
‘* healthy parents cut their teeth, among civilized nations, gives us reason te 
" conclude, that the Indian children never suffer from this quarter.” See An 
Oration, &c., containing an Inquiry into the Natural History of Medicine 
among the Indians of North-Ameriea, &c. &c. p. 26. Philadelphia: 1774. 


( Si» 
ries lead me to adopt a very opposite opinion. Indeed, 
the children of the Indians seem to suffer not much less 
from worms, and from dentition, than the children of 
the Europo- Americans. 


Wuarever foundation there may be for the asser- 
tion, that worms are peculiarly common in North-Amer- 
ica, it will not be denied, that the subject of Anthel- 
mintic medicines is one well worthy of attention. On 
this account, I shall introduce into this place a few ad- 
ditional notices on the subject. I begin with those ve- 
getables which are most obviously characterized by a 
tonic quality. 


A srronc decoction of the bark of the Prunus Vir- 
giniana* has been employed, with a good effect in some 
cases of worms. Whether this bark operates by any 
other than by a tonic quality, Iam unable to say. It 
will not be denied, that many of the bitter tonic medi- 
cines are, on many occasions, excellent anthelmintics. 
But I am very far from believing, with some ingenious 
writerst, that the tonic medicines are always the best 
anthelmintics. In the epidemic verminose fevers, which . 
often prevail in the marshy tracts of country, and are 
evidently owing to the same causes that induce com- 
mon intermittents and remittents, the Peruvian bark 
and other similar medicines may be used with peculiar 
advantage. Moreover, tonics are at all times properly 
exhibited, with a view to prevent worms from increas- 
ing in the system. But many articles that are not at all, 


MESEeIps Sg ozs 

+ Mr. James Moore. ‘ Bark (says this author) is perhaps the best of ali 
“‘ worm-powders.” An Essay on the Materia Medica, &c.p. 148. London: 
1792 


CL, pe D 
or at least very inconsiderably, tonic, are among the most 
valuable anthelmintics with which we are acquainted. 


Tue Veratrum luteum*, commonly called Devil’s 
bit, and Blazing Star, is entitled to notice. The root of 
this plant is a very pungent bitter, and is employed as a 
tonic, in some parts of the United-States. A spirituous 
infusion of the root is made use of. A tea, or watery 
infusion, of the root is often used, and is deemed an ex- 
cellent anthelmintic. I presume, it does not operate 
merely by virtue of its bitter or tonic property. A nar- 
cotic quality seems to belong to this vegetable, and I 
am inclined to think, that its good effects, in cases of 
cholic, and perhaps, in cases of worms, are, in part at 
least, owing to this quality. 


A waTERY infusion of the twigs and leaves of the 
Laurus Benzoin, formerly mentionedf, is often given 
to children, with a view to destroy and dislodge worms, 
and is deemed an efficacious medicine in this case. 


Tue root of the Sanguinaria Canadensis, exhibited 
with a view to its emetic effect, has, in some instances, 
dislodged worms from the stomach. Future experi- 
ments must determine, how far this active article is en- 
titled to the character of an anthelmintic. Perhaps, Ipe- 
cacuanha, or any other emetic, would be found equally 
beneficial in similar cases. 


iw the course of my journey through Virginia, in the 
year 1802, I was informed, that the r7fe fruit of the 


* T take this plant to be the Melanthium dioicum of Walter. See my Ele- 
ments of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 157, &c. 
+ See Part First, p. 20 


(- 53.) 


Persimmon (Diospyros Virginiana*) has often been 
found very useful in the worm-cases of the negro and 
other children. I cannot discover any thing peculiarly 
active in this fruit, in the condition in which it is em- 
ployed as an anthelmintic. Perhaps, it operates solely 
by virtue of a laxative property. 


I conTINvE to use and experience the good effects 
of the Melia Azedaracht. I believe this is one of the 
most valuable anthelmintics, that has hitherto been dis- 
covered. Of late, the dried berries have been advantage- 
ously employed as an anthelmintic, in Carolina. With 
a view to this effect, children are permitted to eat the 
berries, without any particular regard to the dose. They 
are, by some, deemed as efficacious as the bark of the 
tree. I have employed the powdered leaves, but am not 
yet prepared to offer a positive report concerning their 
comparative powers. On the subject of the anthelmin- 
tic and other properties of the Melia, the reader will 
do well to consult my friend, Dr. G. Duvall’s Inaugural 
Dissertation. 


See Part First; p11. 
{ See Part First, p. 40, 64, 65, 66. 


+ An Experimental Botanico-Medical Essay on the Melia Azedarach of 
Linneus. By Grafton Duvall, of Maryland. Philadelphia: 1802. 


THE END 


UNLVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


The Lectures on Botany commence, annually, 
about the middle of April, and terminate in the first 
week of July. 


UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. 


The Lectures on Materia Mepica, and those 
on Narurat History*, commence, annually, im the 
first week of November, and terminate in the first week 
of March. 


* These are two distinct Courses of Lectures. 


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